U.S. President-elect Donald Trump met privately with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday evening, after which Abe expressed confidence that the two will "build a relationship of trust."
Abe met with Trump in New York on his way to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit taking place in Peru. Trump has corresponded with a number of foreign leaders by telephone, but Abe is the first foreign leader to meet with Trump in person since his election to the White House on Nov. 8.
Following the meeting, Abe revealed that the two talked at length about "a variety of issues" but did not go into the details of the meeting, which he described as "informal." Abe also said that the meeting convinced him that Trump "is a leader who can be trusted."
"President-elect Trump kindly set aside time during this very busy period with staffing decisions. I believe we were able to truly talk at length and extensively in a frank and candid manner," Abe said in a statement released by the Japanese government on Friday. "The meeting took place in a very warm atmosphere."
"I shared my basic views with Mr. Trump. We discussed a variety of issues. I would like to refrain from commenting on the details as the president-elect has not yet been officially inaugurated as president, and furthermore, this was an informal meeting," Abe said. "We agreed to meet again at a mutually convenient time to have a broader and more in-depth discussion."
Trump posted a photo of the two on Instagram, writing that it was a "pleasure" to have the Japanese prime minister "stop by [his] home and begin a great friendship."
Trump representatives told reporters on a press call Thursday morning that the meeting would be "private."
The meeting came amid rising tensions between Japan and China in the East China Sea, where Chinese ships have been making incursions around the disputed Senkaku Islands at an increasing rate. China has riled Japan and other allies in the Asia-Pacific with its aggressive territorial claims, particularly those in the South China Sea where experts, lawmakers, and officials have accused Beijing of pursuing "militarization" on disputed features.
Trump spoke over the phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this week and the two agreed to meet in the near future.
Experts have feared that China could try provocative moves in the East or South China Seas during the transition, in an attempt to take advantage of Obama's final weeks in office and test the new administration.
Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, highlighted a number of challenges in the Asia-Pacific that Trump will inherit, including China's aggressive behavior and North Korea's rapid pursuit of its nuclear and missile programs.