Trump won't meet with Japan PM before taking office

Ishiba will now seek an early summit after Trump takes office

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hopes to meet with Donald Trump soon after the U.S. president-elect takes office. (Source photos by Nikkei)

RIEKO MIKI, Nikkei staff writer

November 16, 2024 23:52 JST

Updated on November 17, 2024 10:02 JST

LIMA, Peru-- The transition team of Donald Trump has told Japan that the president-elect in principle will not meet with foreign leaders before taking office, effectively ruling out a meeting before January with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Nikkei learned Saturday.

The Trump side has said that arranging a meeting now would be difficult, government sources said. U.S. law prohibits private citizens from meeting with foreign leaders regarding diplomatic matters.