Japan's Takaichi holds first UNGA day of talks with Trump, Zelenskyy, Guterres

New York, Sep 23 (UNI) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi used her first day at the United Nations General Assembly to hold a series of high-level meetings, discussing China and North Korea with US President Donald Trump, reaffirming support for Ukraine, and pressing for reform of the UN Security Council.

Takaichi met Trump on the sidelines of the assembly, calling the talks "very open and cordial" and saying the leaders had "solid discussions" covering a wide range of regional and bilateral issues. It was their fourth meeting since June's G7 summit in Evian, France. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on technology and critical minerals, with Takaichi saying they confirmed efforts "to win the technology competition" in fields including AI and semiconductors.

They also reaffirmed commitments under their bilateral tariff agreement. Takaichi said she raised Japan's long-standing campaign over North Korea's abduction of Japanese citizens, telling reporters she remains "personally committed" to resolving the issue and had received Trump's "full support" on the matter. On Ukraine, Takaichi met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since their June conversation in Evian. She said she voiced respect for Ukrainians "standing up for the peace of their homeland" and stressed that Japan's position was "unwavering," pledging continued support and sanctions on Russia in coordination with allies.

Zelenskyy thanked Japan for its support and briefed Takaichi on Ukraine's current initiatives, according to the Japanese leader's account. Takaichi also held talks with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, focusing on Security Council reform. She said she told Guterres that expanding both permanent and non-permanent council seats is "indispensable" to building a more effective United Nations, and repeated Japan's request for more of its nationals in U.N. posts.

The White House separately confirmed the Trump-Takaichi meeting, saying on social media it was "furthering the strong alliance" between Washington and Tokyo. Takaichi's meetings underlined security and economic coordination with Washington, sustained backing for Kyiv, and a renewed push to reshape the UN's top decision-making body.

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