Ishiba, who took office in October, will be just the second world leader to visit the White House during Trump's new term.
AAMER MADHANI and MARI YAMAGUCHIThe ruling came just hours before the deadline for employees to take the offer.
"It will be our first face-to-face talks, so I would like to focus on building a personal relationship of trust between the two of us," Ishiba told reporters before heading to Washington for his White House visit, taking place Friday. Still, making the whirlwind journey is essential for Ishiba as he looks to ensure that the U.S. and Japan stay on solid footing with the return of Trump and his "America First" worldview. Both countries have been challenged by China's growing economic and military assertiveness in the Pacific and concerns about a nuclear-armed North Korea.
Another sensitive issue Ishiba is prepared to address is Japan's Nippon Steel's efforts to win approval for a $14.1 billion acquisition of the Pittsburgh-headquartered U.S. Steel. President Joe Biden before leaving office last month blocked the deal, citing national security concern. Trump in December said he was "totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company.
But Trump is pressing NATO and other allies to spend even more on defense, challenging them to raise spending to 5% of their overall economic output - a benchmark that will be difficult for countries to reach.
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