JIJI Press and others reported on the 21st that George Glass, the US Ambassador to Japan, stated that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was the first foreign leader Donald Trump called after the US-China summit held in Beijing on the 14th.

Ambassador Glass made this statement as an invited speaker at the first meeting of the "National Strength Research Group," a group of LDP lawmakers supporting Prime Minister Takaichi, and said, "This point shows the strength of the Japan-US alliance and the trust relationship between the two leaders."

US President Trump (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi [AP/Reuters=Yonhap News Archive Photo]

Regarding criticisms from China and Russia that the Takaichi administration's military buildup policy is "neo-militarism," he criticized it as "completely absurd. It is nothing more than a tactic to weaken the alliance."

He then expressed his welcome for Japan's moves to increase defense spending and acquire the capability to strike enemy bases, stating, "It contributes to the improvement of the military capabilities of the United States and Japan."

According to Kyodo News, Ambassador Glass emphasized, "We are fully committed to maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, promoting denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and preserving Japanese territory, including Okinawa Prefecture and the Senkaku Islands."

Discussing the severity of recent international affairs, he stated that Japan and the US must strengthen their ties in areas such as cybersecurity and defense of military bases, and enhance their deterrence.

Meanwhile, Kyodo News reported that over 200 LDP lawmakers attended the first meeting of the National Strength Research Group, where Ambassador Glass was invited to speak.

Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who leads the Aso faction; Katsunobu Kato, former Minister of Finance and chairman of the research group; and Minoru Kihara, Chief Cabinet Secretary and secretary-general. Prime Minister Takaichi was not present.

Out of 417 LDP members of the House of Councillors and House of Representatives, 347 have joined the National Strength Research Group, which is seen as leading to a strengthening of Prime Minister Takaichi's base within the party, as she has politically operated without a faction for a long time.