Trump proposes meeting with Ishiba in US in mid-January, sources say

Japanese government sources say the team of US President-elect Donald Trump has proposed a meeting with Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in the United States in mid-January before his return to the White House.

Ishiba is expected to decide whether to attend after considering his planned visit to Southeast Asia from early January and the opening of an ordinary session of the Diet.

The Japanese government is arranging with Trump's team to set a date for a meeting.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa told a news conference on Thursday that he hopes they will be able to hold in-depth talks and build a personal relationship at an appropriate timing for both sides.