Tokyo rejected claims that US President Donald Trump urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi not to escalate tensions with China over Taiwan. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said the phone call focused on strengthening cooperation, regional issues, and Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kihara stressed that reports about Trump warning Japan over Taiwan “do not reflect the truth.” He added that Trump and Takaichi, described as close friends, reaffirmed their commitment to continued Japan–US cooperation.