US-Japan vision for Indo-Pacific serves as foundation for global partnership: White House

The vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that the United States and Japan share serves as the foundation for a global partnership that strengthens security, prosperity and order around the world, the White House has said.

In fact, the US-Japan alliance serves as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region, it said Wednesday, ahead of President Donald Trump's scheduled Japan visit beginning May 25.

"The United States' and Japan's shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific serves as the foundation for a global partnership that strengthens security, prosperity, and a rules-based order around the world," a senior administration official told reporters during a conference call.

Trump would be Japan's first state guest following the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito on May 1. "This visit by the president comes at a historic moment in Japan and it demonstrates that the alliance between the United States and Japan has never been stronger," the official said.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Saturday night. He will meet Prime Minister Abe informally on Sunday and also join him at a sumo wrestling match.

"On Monday, the president will make a state call on Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, followed by bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Abe and his team," he added.

That evening, the imperial family will host the President and the First Lady at a state banquet, the official said.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit, he said: "It is really to be state guests of Their Majesties. And that's really the heart of the visit. It is a celebration of their new roles and this new era that's been kicked off -- the Reiwa era -- and a chance to celebrate the alliance."