Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday inspected the helicopter-carrying destroyer Kaga at the Maritime Self-Defense Force base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, in a demonstration of the deepening alliance between Japan and the United States.
It was the first time a U.S. president has stepped aboard a Self-Defense Forces ship, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.
[Pool photos/Kyodo]
I will be making two stops this morning in Japan to visit with our Great Military, then a quick stop in Alaska and back to D.C. Meetings with Prime Minister Abe went very well, and getting to spend time with the new Emperor and Empress of Japan was a great honor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2019
In an address to 500 Japanese and American troops, Abe said it was the first time the leaders of the two allies have together given words of encouragement to a combined group of their respective armed forces.
"The Japan-U.S. alliance has become more robust than ever under the great partnership that President Trump and I have developed," Abe said on the final day of Trump's four-day state visit to Japan.
Referring to a planned refurbishment of the Kaga, Abe expressed Japan's pledge to play its role "with unwavering commitment toward further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance."
[Pool photo/Kyodo]
Japan plans to convert the Kaga into a carrier able to deploy F-35B stealth fighter jets it has committed to purchase from the United States, a move made in response to the rise of China and its growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Abe thanked the U.S. forces in Japan for ensuring peace and stability and enhancing the regional deterrence provided by the alliance.
Trump also underscored the strength of his nation's alliance with Japan and hailed its plan to purchase an additional 105 F-35As from the United States.
"This purchase will give Japan the largest fleet of F-35s of any of our allies," he said. "And soon this very ship will be upgraded to carry that cutting-edge aircraft."
(File photo of Kaga)
After inspecting the vessel, Trump addressed American troops on the Wasp, the Navy's amphibious assault ship that is docked at the U.S. Yokosuka naval base, home of the U.S. 7th Fleet and located next to the MSDF base.
Trump said his administration employs the policy of "peace through strength" in ensuring regional stability in the face of China's aggressive territorial claims in the East and South China Sea, as well as North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
Calling for the construction of additional guided missile destroyers, fast attack submarines and joint strike fighter jets, the president vowed to continue to modernize the U.S. military so it can better protect his country and its allies.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump flanked her husband during the visits to the Kaga and the Wasp, the last scheduled activities on the trip that made them the first state guests in Japan's new imperial era of Reiwa, which started May 1.
Later in the day, the president and his wife departed from Tokyo's Haneda airport to travel back to the United States.
On Monday, the couple had an audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, making Trump the first foreign leader to meet with the emperor since his enthronement.
In a summit meeting on Monday, Trump and Abe coordinated their nations' policy toward North Korea and Iran, as well as ways to address the bilateral trade imbalance.
The two leaders had informal talks during a golf outing, a visit to a grand sumo tournament and an informal dinner at a Japanese charcoal grill restaurant on Sunday.
Related coverage:
Japan's emperor, empress visit Trump's hotel to say goodbye
IN PHOTOS: Trump meets Emperor Naruhito, listens to abductees' families
IN PHOTOS: Trump plays golf, watches sumo with Abe in Japan
