Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is hoping to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the United States later this month, aiming to establish a close relationship similar to the one former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had during Trump's first term.

Axar.az reports that , citing Reuters ,The U.S. is Japan’s top economic and security partner, while Japan plays a crucial role as a key ally of Washington in Asia, hosting military bases that help maintain a significant U.S. presence near China.

Ishiba told reporters that he had a brief, five-minute phone call with Trump on Thursday morning (Japan time) and that they both expressed interest in meeting as soon as possible.

"I felt that he was very friendly. I now have the impression that we can speak openly with each other," Ishiba said.