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The Prime Minister in Action
Courtesy Call from U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis
February 3, 2017
Photograph of the Prime Minister shaking hands with the U.S. Secretary of Defense
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (1)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (2)
Photograph of the Prime Minister receiving the courtesy call (3)
[Provisional Translation]
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the Hon. James N. Mattis, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister said,
“I would like to express my congratulations on the inauguration of the Trump administration and on your appointment as Secretary of Defense.
I welcome the assumption to the office of Secretary of Defense by you who have a long military career, and are well versed on security and foreign policies.
I understand that you have been stationed in Okinawa as a member of the Marine Corps. I imagine you are well aware of the situation in Japan.
During my recent telephone talks with President Trump, the President noted that the choice of East Asia and Japan as the destinations of the first overseas visit by Secretary Mattis shows that the United States attaches importance to Japan for security reasons and as a U.S. ally. I expect and am convinced that with you and the Trump administration, we will be able to demonstrate at home and abroad that the Japan-U.S. Alliance continues to be unwavering.
In addition, I hope that you and Minister Inada will build a relationship of trust and develop a firm relationship.
I look forward to the summit meeting, seeing President Trump, during my visit to the United States from February 10 next week.”
