Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss China-Japan relations.
This was the first call between the leaders of the U.S. and Japan since Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan earlier this month, which triggered a deterioration in China-Japan ties.
After speaking with Trump from the official residence in Tokyo on the 25th, Takaichi told reporters: “President Trump gave a brief update on the recent state of U.S.-China relations.” She declined to disclose further details.
Takaichi said the call was initiated by Trump. She added: “President Trump mentioned that he and I are very good friends, and he’s always happy to take my calls.”
The White House has yet to respond regarding the call.
After Takaichi made her “Taiwan contingency” remark at the start of the month, China-Japan relations plunged into crisis.
Japanese Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a routine press conference on Tuesday: “Stable U.S.-China relations are vital to the entire international community, including Japan.”