Japan PM Shinzo Abe Meets U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump In New York

President-elect Donald Trump had his first meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last Thursday. This is the first in-person meeting that Trump had with a foreign head of state since he got elected.

CNN reported that Abe said he had a "very candid discussion" with Trump. While Abe didn't give much detail on what they discussed, he emphasized that with Trump's presidency, it appears to be that U. S. and Japan will be able to sustain "a relationship of trust".

Despite Trump's criticism during the campaign about Japan contributing to bilateral security ties, Abe still has his confidence in Trump. One of Abe's spokesman described that the relationship of the two had been set in an "extremely good start", The Guardian reported.

The meeting lasted 90 minutes and Abe thanked Trump for taking the time to meet him while he is still working out things for his cabinet before his inauguration as U.S. president. "Despite his extremely busy schedule, because of decisions to be made vis-a-vis appointments or other related business, he was kind enough to receive me," Abe said.

Going back to campaign period, Trump had several remarks about Japan needing to obtain their own nuclear weapons to protect itself from North Korea as they're not paying enough. This could just be one of the notable reasons why it is significant for Japan's prime minister to be first in line in meeting Trump.

There were speculations that Abe used his time in the meeting to persuade Trump to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), but there is no confirmation about this being true. TPP is a free nation trade pact that covers 12 nations, excluding China, and it is said to fall apart without the participation of America.

According to The Guardian, even though there was no validation said if Abe secured anything, but with his positive assessment of the meeting, Japanese officials are somehow given a reassurance.

"I conveyed my basic views on various issues to Mr. Trump, but with regard to more of the specifics or details, because [he] has not assumed the office as the president of the United States and today's discussion was an unofficial discussion, I'd like to refrain from touching on details."

Agreements may take place in the near future as they are set to meet again to discuss bilateral issues according to the prime minister.