Trump, Abe jointly inspect Japanese destroyer

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday jointly inspected Japan's largest warship south of Tokyo at the Yokosuka-based Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

US President Donald Trump (2nd-L), First Lady Melania Trump (L), Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie (R) arrive onboard Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's (JMSDF) helicopter carrier DDH-184 Kaga at JMSDF Yokosuka base in Yokosuka on May 28, 2019. [Photo: Pool/AFP/Charly Triballeau]

Aboard the Japanese J.S. Kaga destroyer, a helicopter carrier designed to carry submarine-hunting helicopters to distant waters, Trump, winding up his four-day state visit to Japan, made a joint speech with Abe to address some 500 Japanese and U.S. personnel inside the warship's hangar.

"I want to thank my friend, and your prime minister. He's an extraordinary man, for his commitment to improving Japan's defense capabilities which also advances the security of the United States of America," Trump said.

The U.S. president also thanked Japan for planning to buy more U.S.-made 5th generation F-35B stealth fighter jets.

Before heading home from Japan on Tuesday afternoon, Trump will also land aboard the USS Wasp, a U.S. multipurpose amphibious assault ship, where he'll deliver a Memorial Day speech to U.S. troops.