*From:* Scott Stewart <xxx@fci-dc.com>
*Sent:* Thursday, June 7, 2018 12:58 PM
*Subject:* Foreign Press Pool Report #2 Abe remarks

These are Prime Minister Abe's remarks (as translated) in the pool spray after POTUS's opening remarks. Please check against the transcript.

Both Japan and the United States share a very long history, but I would like to underscore that we are at the best moment in terms of the strength of bond between the two nations. And also, just prior to the planned summit meeting between the United States and North Korea, I am very pleased that we two have this opportunity to have a thorough discussion as to the summit meeting, so this is my sincere pleasure. Also, up until now, you have been demonstrating great leadership as well as efforts and I would like to applaud what you have demonstrated up until now. My sincere hope is that the upcoming planned U.S.-North Korea summit meeting will serve as an opportunity through which we will have greater peace and stability and also this will be a dramatic and transformational moment in terms of the situation in Northeast Asia. So, through my discussion with you today, I am ready to confirm and also reaffirm our close collaboration between the two nations so as to have a very successful summit meeting between the United States and North Korea and also in order for us to achieve progress on our efforts to address outstanding issues of concern, including the nuclear and missile and the abductions issue. And also I would like to take this opportunity to make sure that we two have the utmost policy coordination as to our approach to the planned summit meeting that you will have with the North Korean leader in the very near future. On top of the issue of North Korea, I very much look forward to having a discussion with Donald on issues including trade, investment, and our economic relationship. Well, despite the fact that we now enjoy this gorgeous weather, we will not be able to play golf this time (inaudible) but next time, lets play golf together.

Scott Stewart

Washington Bureau

The Sankei Shimbun newspaper (Japan)

>www.sankei.com< [ %3ehttp:/www.sankei.com%3c ]

202-xxx-xxxx


Public Pool is an automated feed of White House press pool reports. For live updates, follow @WHPublicPool on Twitter.