Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Before Their Meeting

Remarks
Michael R. Pompeo
Secretary of State
Tokyo, Japan
July 8, 2018

PRIME MINISTER ABE: (Via interpreter) I'd first like to extend a warm welcome on your first visit to Japan as the Secretary of State. And also I would like to pay my tribute to your strong leadership that you have demonstrated in negotiating with North Korea. I highly value your first visit to Japan and its timing, being right after your visit to North Korea for your negotiation with the North Korean side. And this clearly shows the unwavering bond under the Japan-U.S. alliance and also between myself and President Trump, which has become robust, more so than ever.

Having the settlement of the outstanding issues of concern surrounding North Korea, including nuclear missile and abduction issue, will be extremely important for Japan, but also that will be extremely important for regional peace and stability.

And also in this context, at the most recent historic summit meeting between the United States and North Korea, President Trump directly conveyed to Chairman Kim Jong-un what I asked him to raise and also what I explained to the President in advance with regard to the abduction issue, and I certainly appreciate that.

So today I look forward to having your feedback as well as takeaways on the current status of the negotiation between the United States and North Korea, and also we would like to stand firmly together for the settlement of the outstanding issues of concern through the robust coordination as well as collaboration between Japan and the United States.

SECRETARY POMPEO: Prime Minister Abe, first of all, thank you for taking time to meet with me. President Trump asked me to convey his warmest regards and his deep appreciation for his personal relationship with you and the partnership between our two countries.

I look forward to our discussion about my visit to North Korea. We raised a full range of issues with them with respect to their nuclear program, to the abductee issue – all of the issues that I know matter to the United States, Japan, and indeed to the world.

Mr. Prime Minister, you personally and Japan have been great partners of the United States. The foreign minister has been a great partner to me, and we're deeply appreciative for that, and there is much work for us to do together, and I'm honored to be with you here today to discuss how we can do that together.