TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru on Wednesday congratulated Donald Trump and expressed a wish to take the countries’ alliance “to new heights” after Trump claimed victory in the US presidential election.

Heartfelt congratulations to @realDonaldTrump .

I truly look forward to working closely with you to further bolster the Japan-US Alliance & cooperate to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific🤝

— 石破茂 (@shigeruishiba) November 6, 2024

“I would like to congratulate Trump on his victory and also pay tribute to the democratic choice of the people of the United States,” Ishiba told reporters. “I hope to work closely with Trump to take the Japan-US alliance and Japan-US relationship to new heights.”

He added that he will “make efforts” to contact Trump as soon as possible, voicing his wish to hold a summit early.

Ishiba is set to attend a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies to be held in Brazil from Nov. 18.

A Japanese government official said that Tokyo is hoping to arrange for Ishiba to stop at the United States on his way home to meet with Trump for first face-to-face talks.

As Trump has indicated he is not afraid of conflict with China, a senior official of Japan’s Foreign Ministry said, “The significance of the Japan-U.S. alliance remains unchanged.”
Trump, however, mentioned during his presidential campaign that he will ask U.S. allies to bear more defense-related burdens.

Japan may be asked to increase its share of costs for U.S. forces stationed in Japan and buy more U.S.-made defense-related equipment.

Ishiba was quoted as telling close aides that he expects “a tough time” even though he was bracing for Trump’s victory.

Many within the Japanese government are concerned that unity among the Group of Seven major democracies may be disrupted if the United States cuts its support for Ukraine, which is battling Russia’s invasion.

Ishiba’s recent proposal for revising the Japan-U.S. status of forces agreement may become a new issue between the two nations.

Japan is also wary of protectionist moves by the United States as Trump pledged to levy additional 10-20 pct tariffs on all imports to the United States.

AFP (with inputs from JIJI Press)