Son Jeong-ui's "Billion Dollar Investment"...Trump "may meet with Japanese prime minister before taking office"

[Anchor]
Son Jeong-ui, chairman of Japan's Softbank Group, who met with U.S. President-elect Trump, said he would invest 100 billion dollars and 143.6 trillion won in the U.S.

While the Japanese business community is quickly trying to catch Trump, Trump also hinted at the possibility of a U.S.-Japan summit before the inauguration ceremony, raising concerns about South Korea-U.S. summit diplomacy.

This is Washington correspondent Hong Sang-hee.

[Reporter]
Son Jeong-ui, chairman of Japan's Softbank Group, who appeared alongside U.S. President-elect Trump, announced an investment plan worth 100 billion dollars and about 144 trillion won in Korean money.

[Son Jeong-ui/Chairman of Japan's Softbank Group: My confidence in the U.S. economy has been tremendously strengthened by (Trump's) presidential victory.]

Because I'm President Trump in his second term, I'm going to double the stakes to $100 billion, 100,000 jobs.

It means that we will invest in artificial intelligence and AI infrastructure over the next four years, and President-elect Trump asks if we can invest $200 billion this time.

[Donald Trump/U.S. President-elect] Let me ask you right now. Can you do it with a $200 billion investment?]

[Son Jeong-ui / Chairman of Japan's Softbank Group: Well, my commitment is $100 billion, and he's asking me to invest more now. We will try to make it happen with your leadership, our partnership, and your support.]

On the 15th local time, Trump invited the wife of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Akie, to the Mar-a-Lago resort with Melania.

In his first press conference since his election, he also hinted at the possibility of a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

[Donald Trump/U.S. President-elect: I want to be able to meet the Japanese prime minister. You're probably right. I even sent books to the prime minister. (Can it be done before the inauguration?) It is possible if Japan wants it. That's what I'm going to do.]

Although Japanese business and political circles are moving quickly ahead of the launch of Trump's second term, it is virtually impossible for Korea to operate summit diplomacy with the U.S., which is inevitable due to the impeachment.

In the meantime, the Trump administration's transition team is reportedly working out a plan to abolish subsidies for electric vehicles and impose tariffs on battery materials around the world.

It is also considering mobilizing Article 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which restricts imports if it is deemed to threaten national security, and the domestic automobile industry is also expected to have a ripple effect.

While the Biden administration has finally approved a policy funding loan worth nearly 14 trillion won to a battery production joint venture between South Korea's SKON and U.S. Ford Motor, some analysts say it is unclear whether the loan will be made in the second Trump period.

I'm Hong Sang-hee from Washington.