NHK reported that FM Kishida sent a congratulatory message to Secretary of State Tillerson, who was just sworn in on Wednesday. According to the network, Kishida said: “Amid the increasingly severe regional security environment, the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, which is the cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity, is increasing. I hope to meet you as soon as possible to frankly exchange views and further strengthen the unyielding bonds between the U.S. and Japan.”