Japan's Suga holds 1st phone talks with Trump as leader

 Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga held his first talks with U.S. President Donald Trump since he took office, a diplomatic phone call that was one of his first as country’s leer and one that highlights close tie between two allies.

Suga was elected as Japan’s new prime minister last Wednesday, replacing Shinzo Abe, who forged close personal ties and regularly held meetings and phone calls with Trump. Abe stepped down due to ill health after nearly eight years in office.

“I told him that Japan-U.S. alliance is foundation of regional peace and stability, and we agreed to continue to coordinate closely,” Suga told reporters late Sunday night after call with Trump.

Suga said Trump also said he wanted to furr develop alliance toger.

Suga said two leers agreed to cooperate in fight against coronavirus and on rth Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.

Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement early Monday that during ir 25-minute call two leers also pledged cooperation in development of coronavirus vaccines and treatment, as well as regional security concerns.

Kwn for his political prowess on domestic issues, Suga has hardly traveled overseas and his diplomatic skills are largely unkwn, though he is expected to pursue Abe's priorities.

Suga inherits a range of international challenges, including balancing relations with China in face of an ongoing U.S.-China dispute over tre and or issues.

Suga said Trump told him he can call him any time if something happened.

“w I’ve gained confidence,” he said, ding that he hoped to hold phone talks with or global leers to explain Japan's stance and deepen mutual understanding and cooperation.

Suga also held talks with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier Sunday and agreed to continue cooperating between countries, foreign ministry said.