Japanese PM Shinzo Abe leaves for US visit

During the visit, Prime Minister Abe is set to hold talks with US President Donald Trump and confirm the two countries’ close cooperation in addressing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s nuclear arms and missile threats.

“I am planning to visit Mar-a-Lago in Florida and hold Japan - US summit talks for two days over matters of mutual interest, including the issue of the DPRK,” Mr. Abe told a meeting of senior officials from the government and ruling bloc, referring to Mr Trump’s “Winter White House” in the sunshine state.

During talks at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the two allies are expected to stress the need to maintain "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang, as well as thrash out bilateral trade friction.

There will be several working meetings with the two countries’ experts on national security and trade.

The American delegation participating in the meetings involve the most senior White House officials, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Vice President Mike Pence./.