Abe to urge Trump to maintain U.S. presence in Asia-Pacific region

TOKYO—Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated Tuesday he will urge U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain the U.

S. military presence in Japan and the surrounding region when the two leaders meet in Washington next week.

“I want to tell (Trump) that U.

S. leadership and the U.S. presence are especially needed in the Asia-Pacific region and that it’s necessary for the U.S. (to play) the role it has (played) until now,” Abe told a House of Councillors budgetary committee.

Abe said he wants to confirm in the Feb. 10 summit the requirement under the bilateral security treaty for the United States to “act to meet the common danger” if Japan comes under armed attack.