DHAKA: Japan’s Prime Minister is set to become the first foreign leader to meet US President-elect Donald Trump, since the election last week.

Shinzo Abe said he wanted to “build trust” and “work together for prosperity and world peace”, before leaving for his trip.

The meeting in New York comes amid concern over the foreign policy direction of Tokyo’s biggest ally, reports BBC.

Trump has said Japan needs to pay more to maintain US troops on its soil.

He also condemned a major trade deal struck by President Obama with Japan and other Pacific Rim countries.

The US and Japan have been key allies since the end of World War Two, when the US helped Japan rebuild its economy.

PM Abe is stopping in New York on his way to an Asia-Pacific trade summit in Peru.

It remains unclear who else might be at the meeting with Abe.

High-level talks are rarely held in such an informal context and Tokyo is keen to minimize uncertainty during the long handover of power.

BDST: 2009 HRS, NOV 17, 2016
AP/BD