According to the official United States-Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement released by the White House, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru held their first official meeting in Washington, D.C. on February 7, 2025[1]. The leaders affirmed their determination to pursue a “new golden age” for U.S.-Japan relations that upholds a free and open Indo-Pacific[1].
Key points from the official statement include:
- Strengthening bilateral security and defense cooperation under the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security[1].
- The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to Japan’s defense, including the application of Article V of the treaty to the Senkaku Islands[1].
- Japan reiterated its commitment to reinforce its own defense capabilities[1].
- The leaders instructed their foreign and defense ministers to convene a Security Consultative Committee meeting soon[1].
- Economic cooperation was emphasized as an indispensable part of the alliance, with both countries providing significant foreign direct investment to each other[1].
- The leaders agreed to promote bilateral investment, strengthen industrial bases, and collaborate on developing critical technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors[1].
- They resolved to enhance efforts to counter economic coercion and strengthen supply chain resilience[1].
The meeting lasted approximately 110 minutes, beginning at 11:55 a.m. local time on February 7, and included a small-group discussion followed by an extended working lunch[3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/02/united-states-japan-joint-leaders-statement/
[2] https://www.voanews.com/a/trump-hosts-japan-s-ishiba-amid-early-moves-that-have-rattled-some-allies/7966846.html
[3] https://www.mofa.go.jp/na/na1/us/pageite_000001_00800.html
[4] https://www.fox26houston.com/news/trump-meets-prime-minister-japan
[5] https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/6a11586ad795-ishiba-trump-to-affirm-solid-japan-us-alliance-economic-ties.html?phrase=fukuda
[6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-japanese-prime-minister-press-conference-2025-02-07/
[7] https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2025020700805/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMiAE9X-Wig
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx5aNKh7lXY
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVYTmxCVNXI
[11] https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328082.shtml
The White House Feb 7, 2025