Ishiba and Japanese officials said that the main purpose of the visit, however, is to forge personal ties with Trump - who had a warm relationship with former PM Shinzo Abe during his first term. The visit marks the first by an Asian leader to the White House since Trump's second administration began in January.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will go to the White House to try to rekindle Japan’s relationship with President Donald Trump — and to fend off potential tariffs.

Trump has long felt that Japan and other wealthy allies take advantage of the U.S., racking up big trade surpluses, while paying too little for the cost of American military protection.