The Japanese premier is set to meet US president-elect Donald Trump on Thursday in New York, in an effort to maintain the strong security partnership shared by the two countries.
The meeting was sought by the Japanese administration following Trump's unexpected win in the US presidential elections and will be the billionaire tycoon's first interaction in this capacity with a foreign leader.
In Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's first face-to-face meeting with Trump, the Japanese foreign ministry said he will stress the importance of the Japan-US alliance to ensure peace and stability in Asia Pacific, especially in the face of the growing arms threat from Pyongyang and Beijing's military might.
Ahead of his departure, Abe told reporters he was keen to build a relationship of trust with Trump and work together for world peace and prosperity.
During his election campaign, Trump had threatened to pull out American troops from Japan and South Korea unless they shelled out more for the military presence, prompting concern in Tokyo.
Abe also expects to discuss the importance of free trade, and the stance of the future Trump-led administration on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which has earned a total rejection from Trump in campaign speeches.
Abe will later fly to the Peruvian capital of Lima to attend the leaders' summit for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) over the weekend.
