TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba intends to contemplate visiting the US to satisfy the president-elect earlier than the inauguration in January subsequent yr, the Yomiuri newspaper mentioned on Sunday.

“As the prime minister of Japan, an ally of the U.S., it is necessary for me to have a relationship (with President-elect) before officially taking office in January next year,” the Yomiuri quoted him as saying in its interview held on Saturday.

The premier additionally mentioned he “won’t deny the possibility” of visiting the U.S. earlier than or after his deliberate visits to South America in the midst of subsequent month, the Yomiuri mentioned.

If this occurs, it might be Ishiba’s first go to to the U.S. since he took workplace as prime minister.

The premier is predicted to attend the APEC summit in Peru and the G20 summit in Brazil in November, the report mentioned.

The U.S. presidential election, which pits Democrat Kamala Harris towards Republican Donald Trump, will likely be held on Nov. 5.