Donald Trump told Shinzo Abe he was Japan's greatest prime minister, says White House

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Credit: Reuters Photo

US President Donald Trump called Shinzo Abe the greatest prime minister in Japanese history during a call between the two leaders, a White House spokesman said, days after the Japanese premier said he was stepping down for health reasons.

The two men spoke at length, and Trump told Abe he had done a "fantastic job" and that the relationship between their two countries was stronger than it has ever been, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

"The President called Prime Minister Abe the greatest prime minister in Japan's history," Deere said.