President Trump told reporters as he flew into Japan that he expects to have a trade agreement with China finalized by the end of his tour of Asia.

Donald Trump also said he would have a 'fantastic relationship' with Japan's first female prime minister Sanae Takaichi.

US President Donald Trump signed a framework with Japan on securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. China has a near-monopoly on global rare-earth supplies, which Beijing has weaponized in its trade war with the US.

Japan’s recently elected first female premier met the U.S. President on Tuesday to try to set a new tone for U.S.-Japan relations.

TRUMP TRAVELS TO JAPAN: President Donald Trump has arrived in Japan, the second stop on his three-country Asia tour. He met with Emperor Naruhito in the evening, and will have a bilateral meeting tomorrow with newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

China has called on its neighbours Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries to make greater efforts in science and technology, including carrying out joint scientific and technological research, according to the official Xinhua.

Sanae Takaichi, Japan's newly elected first female prime minister, is an unabashedly conservative icon of Japanese politics. Her election is set to change East Asia.

Toyota Motor Corp. maintained record global sales during the first half of the fiscal year, as growth in the US helped counter a lukewarm showing in Japan and China.