"I wish to coordinate closely with him to bring the Japan-U.S. alliance and relationship to new heights," Ishiba told the media on Wednesday, emphasizing Japan's commitment to its most crucial security partnership.
The announcement came amid heightened regional tensions, with Japan seeking to enhance its defense posture against an increasingly assertive China and nuclear-capable North Korea.
Despite concerns over Trump's previous protectionist policies during his 2017 to 2021 tenure, Japanese officials have prioritized maintaining strong bilateral ties.
Senior Japanese officials indicated that maintaining robust security cooperation with Washington would remain central to Tokyo's foreign policy strategy.
