U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Suga [Reuters Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 19th (local time) that he hopes Japan will actively participate in confronting Iran during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga at the White House.

Prime Minister Suga stated that Iran's possession of nuclear weapons is unacceptable, but did not make specific remarks about Japan's role publicly.

President Trump met with Prime Minister Suga at the White House and said regarding Japan's role in the Iran conflict, "I expect Japan to actively step forward. We have that kind of relationship, and we have 45,000 troops in Japan."

President Trump emphasized, "We are not asking for much. Frankly, we don't want anything from Japan or anyone else. However, I think it is appropriate for people to step forward actively."

Prime Minister Suga stated that President Trump is the only leader who can bring peace and prosperity to the world, and that Iran's nuclear armament is unacceptable, criticizing the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on neighboring countries.

Prime Minister Suga is the first head of state to meet with President Trump since Trump publicly requested troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, naming various allied nations in Asia and Europe, including South Korea and Japan.

It is expected that the meeting, which continued behind closed doors, will focus on discussions regarding Japan's role in resolving the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as trade and investment between the two countries.