Trump Committed to Japan-U.S. Relationship: Aide

Washington, Nov. 16 (Jiji Press)--U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's decision to hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at an early stage indicates Trump's commitment to the Japan-U.S. relationship, an executive of the presidential transition team said Wednesday. "The president-elect is very very busy trying to put together his cabinet," Rep. Devin Nunes (R-California), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, told reporters after his meeting with Katsuyuki Kawai, a special adviser to Abe. "So for the president-elect to take the time to meet with the prime minister, I think, shows Mr. Trump's commitment to the relationship," Nunes said. Referring to the Abe-Trump talks to be held in New York on Thursday, Nunes said, "It should be a very insightful meeting." The transition team is excited to meet with Abe, he added. "A lot of what you read in the media, see in the media is not true," said the congressman, trying to dispel concerns that Trump is making light of U.S. relationships with some nations including Japan. "Mr. Trump is a very quick learner and I think he's going to be very very interested in all the issues dealing in the Asia region," including Japan, he said, calling the nation "one of our most important, longest allies." At their talks in the Capitol, Kawai and Nunes agreed that the Japan-U.S. alliance should be maintained firmly under the incoming Trump administration, according to people familiar with their discussions. Kawai asked Nunes to inform Trump and his aides of Abe's hope of making the coming bilateral meeting the first step to build a personal relationship of trust between the two, the sources said. Nunes agreed to do so. END