Trump to meet Japanese PM next week

President Donald Trump will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington on April 26 to hold bilateral talks and discuss North Korea's denuclearization process, the White House said on Thursday.

"President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will discuss recent developments regarding the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, including efforts to achieve final, fully verified denuclearization," the House said in a statement quoted by Sputnik.

"The two leaders will also explore ways to advance their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including steps that will strengthen our bilateral trade and investment relationship," the statement added.

Quoting sources, The Japan Times reported that Abe is expected to celebrate U.S. first lady Melania Trump's birthday on that day and play golf with President Trump outside the capital on April 27.

Both the leaders are expected to fully re-enforce the sanctions imposed by the United Nations on North Korea, compelling it to ward off its nuclear armaments.

Discussions on North's denuclearisation are likely to be on the table after Trump's failed Hanoi meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February. Kim and Trump had ended talks abruptly without reaching a deal.

Abe and Trump would also focus on trade between the two countries following renewed negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, sources noted.

The White House, in its statement, also said that the U.S. President is planning to visit Tokyo in late May.

In Tokyo, Trump would be the first foreign guest to greet Crown Prince Naruhito, who will become emperor on May 1, a day after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito.

"The President and First Lady will also travel to Japan from May 25 to 28, 2019, as the country's first state guests following the enthronement of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on May 1, 2019," Sputnik quoted the White House as saying.

"After meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the President will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe," the statement read, adding that the meeting is aimed at "deepening close bonds between the American and Japanese people."

Besides the May visit, Trump plans to make another trip to Japan in late June for the G20 summit scheduled to take place in Osaka, The Japan Times reported.