Friday’s Yomiuri claimed in its lead item that President Trump and Prime Minister Abe will sign a memorandum on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector with the goal of exporting U.S. shale gas to Africa and Asia. Japan is aiming to export its thermal power generation technology to emerging economies so that they can tap American shale gas imports. Tokyo is hoping to deflect U.S. criticism of its trade surplus with America by highlighting its willingness to support U.S. energy exports.

Saturday’s Nikkei ran a similar story, saying that financial corporations affiliated with the two governments will sign a memorandum on Tuesday on financing a solar power generation project in Jordan that is being pursued by U.S. and Japanese enterprises. This initiative is part of bilateral efforts to increase joint infrastructure exports to the Third World.