Japan Foreign Minister Iwaya to attend Trump inauguration: sources

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes palms with Japanese Overseas Minister Takeshi Iwaya throughout a courtesy name in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 7. EPA-Yonhap

Japanese Overseas Minister Takeshi Iwaya will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration as U.S. president, Jan. 20, guaranteeing {that a} high-ranking official from a key Asian ally is readily available for the occasion, two folks accustomed to the matter stated.

Iwaya was invited by Trump’s camp to the launch of his second time period and has accepted, the 2 folks stated, confirming Japanese media experiences.

He would be the first Japanese Cupboard member to attend the swearing-in of a U.S. president, the Nikkei newspaper stated. Japan’s Embassy in Washington and officers with Trump’s inauguration staff didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

Iwaya hopes to rearrange a gathering with Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s decide for secretary of state, throughout his go to to the USA, one of many folks accustomed to the matter stated.

The Japanese minister will convey Tokyo’s hope for an early assembly between Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, this particular person added. Ishiba unsuccessfully sought a gathering in November, shortly after Trump beat Joe Biden in a presidential comeback, sources advised Reuters on the time.

Satsuki Katayama, a lawmaker from Ishiba’s governing Liberal Democratic Social gathering, has stated she plans to attend the inauguration on the invitation of Senator Invoice Hagerty, who was Trump’s ambassador to Tokyo in his first time period.

Will probably be Iwaya’s first go to to the USA since he grew to become overseas minister in October. Japan, a longtime U.S. ally that loved good relations with Trump throughout his first administration, can be eager to get off to an excellent begin in his second.

Iwaya will go to Korea, Monday, to shore up safety cooperation between the East Asian neighbors and their mutual U.S. ally, aiming to counter China’s rising regional energy.

Deepening trilateral safety cooperation promoted by the outgoing Biden administration might be tougher given the political turmoil in Korea prompted by the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Iwaya may even journey to the Philippines, one other U.S. treaty ally, after which to the Pacific island nation of Palau, which depends on Washington for financial assist and protection.

The Monetary Occasions reported Thursday that Chinese language President Xi Jinping would ship a high-level envoy to Trump’s inauguration. It stated Xi may ship Han Zheng, a vice chairman who typically stands in for him in ceremonial roles, whereas an alternative choice was Overseas Minister Wang Yi. (Reuters)