In the months since Trump's election, the Japanese government has moved quickly to ensure that the new administration sees its relationship with Tokyo as serving core U.S. interests, even as Trump and his advisers seek to recalibrate those interests. Abe was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump after his victory in November. This week, he becomes only the second (following British Prime Minister Theresa May a week ago) to pay a formal visit to Trump since inauguration. Last week, Abe met with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis and promised to increase Japanese defense spending. Tokyo has been tailoring its outreach around Trump's domestic goals. For example, Japanese authorities are reportedly formulating a plan — known as the "U.S.-Japan Growth and Employment Initiative" — to create as many as 700,000 jobs in the U.S. through investments in infrastructure and related industries .