Abe's Farewell Call to Trump: "US-Japan Alliance Remains Unchanged"

On the morning of the 31st, resignation news was directly conveyed via phone call... Trump wishes Abe a speedy recovery
Abe is scheduled to speak with Russian President Putin that evening

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called U.S. President Donald Trump on the 31st to personally inform him of his resignation due to the relapse of his chronic illness, ulcerative colitis. He also emphasized that the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance remains unchanged.

According to NHK and other sources, Prime Minister Abe had a phone conversation with President Trump for about 30 minutes around 10 a.m. that day. Abe reportedly stressed, "My successor will also remain committed to strengthening the alliance between our two countries." In response, President Trump said, "I am saddened by the resignation of my closest friend, Prime Minister Abe," and wished for his speedy recovery.

NHK also reported that Abe conveyed to President Trump his intention to closely cooperate on establishing a new security strategy, including missile defense systems, based on the increasingly difficult security environment surrounding Japan, such as North Korea's enhancement of ballistic missile capabilities. He also requested continued support for resolving the abduction issue.

This phone call with a foreign leader was the first since Abe announced his resignation on the 28th. It was the first conversation between the two leaders in over three months since May 8.

The U.S. White House issued a statement after the call, saying, "President Trump and Prime Minister Abe reflected on the past four years and had a detailed discussion," and added, "President Trump said that Prime Minister Abe is the greatest prime minister in Japanese history, has done an excellent job, and that the U.S.-Japan relationship is now stronger than ever." The statement also noted that although Abe will soon resign, President Trump said he will continue to play an important role for Japan's future.

Prime Minister Abe has often boasted of his close relationship with President Trump. They maintained a deep relationship by visiting each other's countries and playing golf together. Immediately after Abe announced his resignation on the 28th, President Trump expressed his regret on his plane returning to the White House after a campaign in New Hampshire, saying, "I want to pay the highest respect to my very good friend, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We have had a great relationship."

Meanwhile, Japanese foreign media reported that Abe is also scheduled to have a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the afternoon of the same day. It is reported that Abe proposed the meeting first. Since they have held summit talks and negotiated a Russia-Japan peace treaty to resolve the territorial dispute over the four Kuril Islands (Northern Territories), foreign media expect Abe to express his intention to continue cooperation going forward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.