|
TOKYO, May 28-- The leaders of Japan and the United States jointly inspected a Japanese destroyer on Tuesday at the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, on the final day of Trump's four-day state visit to Japan. At a joint speech to address the 500 Japanese and U.S. personnel inside the hangar of the "JS Kaga" helicopter carrier, the second constructed ship in the Izumo class of the Japan MSDF, the leaders expressed their solidarity and commitment to peace and prosperity in the region. Abe reiterated the two leaders' stance throughout Trump's visit that the bilateral alliance between both countries remained firm, and stated that Japan was committed to "playing its role with unwavering commitment toward further strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance." On Japan's plans to buy an additional 105 U.S.-made 5th generation F-35 stealth fighters, some of which will be able to operate from the constitutionally questionable Izumo class of "de facto" aircraft carriers once they are retrofitted, Trump was praiseworthy. "This purchase will give Japan the largest fleet of F-35s of any of our allies," Trump said. The U.S. president also visited the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, which is currently docked at the U.S. Yokosuka naval base, located next to the MSDF base and home to the U.S. 7th Fleet. During an address to U.S. service people for the Memorial Day, Trump vowed to continue to modernize the U.S. military through his administration's policy of "peace through strength", as he put it. | 
