TOKYO (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was in Japan Monday to meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other officials as part of a four-country trade mission perceived as an attempt by the Republican, who is expected to announce a presidential campaign, to improve his diplomatic credentials.
During their meeting Monday at the prime minister’s office, Kishida told DeSantis that strengthening ties between Japan and the United States is crucial to ensuring the peace, stability and prosperity of international society, and the two discussed regional issues, according to a report. Japanese Foreign Ministry statement.
DeSantis is considered the main rival of former President Donald Trump in the fight for the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential elections. He is expected to announce his campaign in early May.
He has already met with party members and has begun touring battleground states in the United States.
DeSantis’ trip, announced Thursday, also includes South Korea, Israel and Great Britain. The governor said he intends to strengthen economic relations and demonstrate Florida’s position as an economic powerhouse.
Kishida celebrated DeSantis’ first trip to Japan and expressed his hopes that the visit would help strengthen Japan’s relationship with the United States and Florida in particular, the Foreign Ministry said.
During his two-day visit to Tokyo, DeSantis was also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and business executives. He was also expected to meet South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly. On April 27 he would give a lecture in Israel at an event for the 75th anniversary of the founding of Israel.
DeSantis was traveling with other state officials and his wife, Casey DeSantis.
