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.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for the first time on Friday as two allies wary of China's rise work to boost business and security ties while an escalating trade war threatens to rupture the global economy.