The vice-president of Japan's main ruling Liberal Democratic Party Aso Taro has held a meeting with former US President Donald Trump in New York.
The meeting took place at Trump Tower in central Manhattan on Tuesday. The former president welcomed Aso at the entrance, and the two smiled as they shook hands.
They are believed to have discussed Japan-US relations and various international issues. The talks lasted for about one hour.
Aso last visited the United States in January. He wanted to meet with Trump at that time, but he did not have an opportunity to do so.
Trump is the presumptive Republican Party nominee for president in the election that will be held later this year.
Observers say Aso appears to be considering the possibility that the former president could regain control of the US government.
Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko spoke about Aso's US visit at a news conference on Tuesday. She said he traveled as an individual lawmaker and that the government is not involved. Kamikawa declined to comment further.