Following a hastily arranged 90-minute meeting at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Abe expressed to reporters that he felt confident in the possibility of establishing a trusting relationship. However, he refrained from sharing specific details of the conversation due to its unofficial nature. This discussion took place at a time when Japan's leadership was feeling apprehensive about the strength of their alliance with the United States, which is crucial to Tokyo's diplomacy and security. Abe and other Asian leaders were concerned about Trump's campaign promises to make allies pay more for US forces' assistance, his suggestion that Japan should obtain nuclear weapons, and his strong opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The incoming Republican president will take over from the current Democratic president on January 20th. Abe described his discussion with Trump as open and friendly, emphasizing the importance of trust in alliances. He expressed confidence in Trump's leadership and agreed to meet again to discuss a wider range of topics. It is uncertain if this meeting will happen before Trump's inauguration. Kellyanne Conway mentioned that detailed talks about policy and the Japan-US relationship will have to wait until after the inauguration. Trump officials did not provide immediate comment after meeting with Abe. Abe, a seasoned lawmaker who collaborated closely with Obama on the 12-nation TPP trade agreement as part of Obama's efforts to counter China's growing influence and a key component of Abe's economic reforms, exchanged golfing gear gifts with Trump during their meeting, as per a statement from the Japanese government. Photos from inside the lavish meeting room at Trump Tower depicted Abe, an interpreter, Trump, Ivanka, her husband and Trump advisor Jared Kushner, and Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. Regarding filling administration roles, a senior Trump official stated on Thursday that Trump had offered Flynn the position of national security adviser. While it was uncertain if Flynn had agreed to the job, a source familiar with the offer informed Reuters that when the president-elect asks you to serve, there is only one response. The Pentagon spokesman stated that the Defense Department would conduct its first military briefing for Trump transition officials on Friday as the incoming Trump administration prepares to take office on Jan 20. Other agencies in the Obama administration, such as the Justice Department, are also taking similar steps. Trump, a political outsider, has been focused on deciding who will fill senior positions in his administration since winning the election last week. Democrats in Congress continue to criticize Trump's appointment of right-wing figure Stephen Bannon as senior counsellor. A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, stated that during a meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, she advised for the appointment to be reconsidered. Trump has been holding meetings at Trump Tower with individuals who could potentially take on important roles in his administration. On Saturday, he is scheduled to meet with Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate in the 2012 presidential election, and there may be discussions about appointing him as secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the meeting. This would be a surprising development, as Romney previously criticized Trump and urged Republicans to vote for someone else during the party's presidential nominee selection process. During his campaign, Trump made fun of Romney by saying he "choked like a dog" during the 2012 election against Obama. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso stated that it was important for Abe to meet with Trump before he officially becomes president, given the significance of Japan-US relations. Abe adviser Katsuyuki Kawai mentioned speaking with various Trump advisers and lawmakers in Washington and was told not to take everything Trump says publicly too seriously. Since becoming prime minister in 2012, Abe has increased Japan's defense spending and pushed the limits of its pacifist constitution to allow for a greater global military presence. Japan's defense spending remains just above 1 percent of its GDP, in contrast to the United States which spends over 3 percent. The US is expected to allocate $5.745 billion for its forces in Japan in the current fiscal year. According to Japan's Defense Ministry, Tokyo's costs associated with US troops stationed in Japan were around 720 billion yen ($6.6 billion) in the previous fiscal year. Some of Trump's previous statements during his campaign painted a negative picture of Japan, reminiscent of the 1980s when Tokyo was viewed as a threat to American jobs and perceived as not contributing enough to defense efforts. However, a Trump adviser recently highlighted a more positive perspective on Japan. He stated that the prime minister has been more assertive and direct in attempting to make changes to Japan's global stance. Abe was anticipated to meet with Obama at a summit in Peru over the weekend. Prior to the meeting between Abe and Trump, Obama's secretary of state, John Kerry, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met in Lima to discuss the Paris climate agreement - an agreement that Trump has vowed to withdraw from. Some diplomats believe that it will be difficult to evaluate Trump's policies on security matters such as the deployment of US troops overseas, China's assertiveness in maritime issues, and the North Korean nuclear threat until key appointments are made.