After a quick 90-minute meeting at Trump Tower in Manhattan, Abe expressed confidence to reporters that they could establish a trustworthy relationship. However, he did not give details of the conversation as it was unofficial. This conversation took place amid concerns within Japan's leadership about the future strength of the alliance that is crucial to Tokyo's diplomacy and security. Abe and other Asian leaders were troubled by Trump's campaign promises to make allies pay more for US forces' assistance, his suggestion for Japan to acquire nuclear weapons, and his strong opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Trump, a Republican, will take over from Democratic President Barack Obama on Jan 20. Abe described his discussion with Trump as honest and friendly, emphasizing the importance of trust in alliances. He expressed confidence in Trump's leadership and agreed to meet again to discuss a broader range of topics. It is uncertain if this meeting will take place before Trump's inauguration. Kellyanne Conway stated that more in-depth conversations about policy and the Japan-US relationship will have to wait until after the inauguration. Trump officials did not offer immediate comments after meeting with Abe. Abe, a seasoned politician who collaborated with Obama on the 12-nation TPP trade pact to counter China's growing influence, was a key figure in Abe's economic reforms. According to a statement from the Japanese government, Abe and Trump exchanged golfing gear as gifts during their meeting. Pictures from inside the luxurious meeting room at Trump Tower showed Abe, an interpreter, Trump, Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner, and Retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. A senior Trump official revealed that Trump had proposed Flynn for the national security adviser role. It was uncertain whether Flynn had agreed to the job, but a source familiar with the offer told Reuters that when the president-elect asks you to serve, there is only one answer. The incoming Trump administration is getting ready to take office on Jan 20, with the Defense Department planning to conduct its first military briefing for Trump transition officials on Friday. Other Obama administration agencies, such as the Justice Department, are also taking similar steps. Trump, a bold outsider with no prior public office experience, has been focused on determining who will fill senior positions in his administration since winning last week's election. Democrats in Congress continue to criticize Trump's controversial choice of right-wing firebrand Stephen Bannon as senior counsellor. A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi, leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, stated that during a meeting with Vice President-elect Mike Pence, she suggested that the appointment be reconsidered. President-elect Trump has been holding meetings at Trump Tower with individuals who could potentially fill high-ranking positions in his administration. On Saturday, he is scheduled to meet with Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate in the 2012 presidential election, and they may discuss the possibility of Romney becoming the secretary of state, according to a source familiar with the meeting. This is a surprising development, as Romney had previously criticized Trump, calling him a "fraud" and advising Republicans to support anyone other than the real estate mogul during the party's presidential nomination process. During the campaign, Trump made fun of Romney, saying he performed poorly in the 2012 election against Obama. Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso stated that it was important for Abe to meet with Trump before he became president, as Japan-US relations are crucial. Abe's adviser, Katsuyuki Kawai, mentioned that he had been in contact with Trump's advisers and lawmakers in Washington and they advised not to take everything Trump says literally. Since becoming prime minister in 2012, Abe has increased Japan's defense spending and pushed the boundaries of its pacifist constitution to allow for a more active military role. Defense spending in Japan remains just above 1 percent of GDP, in contrast to the United States' spending of over 3 percent. The US is expected to allocate $5.745 billion for its forces in Japan in the current fiscal year of 2017. Japan's Defense Ministry reported that expenses related to US troops stationed in Japan reached approximately 720 billion yen ($6.6 billion) in the previous fiscal year. Some of President Trump's campaign statements painted a negative image of Japan reminiscent of the 1980s, when Tokyo was perceived as a job threat and a burden on defense. However, a Trump adviser recently expressed a more optimistic perspective. "He stated that the prime minister has been more assertive and direct in attempting to make changes to Japan's global position," he remarked. Abe was anticipated to meet Obama at a summit in Peru over the weekend. Prior to Abe and Trump's meeting, Obama's secretary of state, John Kerry, and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met in Lima to discuss the Paris climate agreement - an agreement Trump has promised to withdraw from. Some diplomats argue that until Trump makes important appointments, it will be difficult to determine his policies on security issues such as the deployment of US troops overseas, China's assertiveness in maritime territories, and the North Korean nuclear threat.