Because the transition had provided no “readout” of the meeting — a summary of what had gone on — and the press had not been allowed into the meeting, even for a few minutes, the Japanese handout photos were the first time it was made public that Ivanka Trump apparently was sitting in on at least part of the meeting. Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, reportedly offered the role of Trump’s national security adviser, also appears in the photo Watson had posted.
Ivanka Trump’s presence is notable because it remains unclear how the president-elect plans to deal with his business interests as president. He has, in the past, said that Ivanka — along with his other children — would be running the business in what he called a “blind trust” while he is in office. (Ethics lawyers from both parties have criticized the prospect, saying it would not be a blind trust.)
Abe is the prime minister of the world’s third largest economy.
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