Ishiba "Meeting with Trump at the right time"...U.S. Steel's Unconditional Acquisition of U.S. Steel is 'Short

[Anchor]
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance and said he was coordinating a meeting with the next president, Trump, at an appropriate time.

However, he expressed strong dissatisfaction with the U.S. disapproval of Japan's acquisition of U.S. Steel and said he would urge a related response.

Correspondent Kim Se-ho's report from Tokyo.

[Reporter]
Prime Minister Ishiba held his first press conference of the New Year after visiting the Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture.

First of all, he stressed that the U.S.-Japan alliance will be strengthened further, saying that the basis for protecting Japan's peace and security in diplomatic security is sufficient deterrence.

He strongly criticized North Korea's launch of its first ballistic missile in the new year and expressed concern about technological advancement.

He also expressed his willingness to hold an early summit, saying he is coordinating a meeting with the next U.S. President Trump.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister: Nothing has been confirmed yet regarding the meeting with the next U.S. President of the United States, but we are coordinating to ensure that it is realized in the right form at the most appropriate time]

However, he expressed dissatisfaction with President Biden's refusal to accept Japanese steelmaking's acquisition of U.S. Steel.

[Shigeru Ishiba / Japanese Prime Minister: It is regrettable but true that there are concerns from the Japanese industry about future investments between the U.S. and Japan. The government cannot help but take this seriously.]

He then said he would strongly call on the U.S. government to respond to the concerns.

In particular, it was difficult to understand that the national security threat was cited as the reason for not accepting US Steel.

On the other hand, he did not say much about the political unrest in Korea and future relations between Korea and Japan.

Ahead of the meeting with the next President Trump, Ishiba's response to the acquisition of US Steel is expected to be a major test of US-Japan diplomacy."

I'm Kim Se-ho from YTN in Tokyo.