TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Wednesday he is ready to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone or in person if required after the president said on social media that the countries had reached a historic trade deal.

Ishiba told reporters he will be briefed on bilateral negotiations led by Japan's chief negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who is in Washington. The prime minister said the bilateral agreement would help create jobs and benefit both nations.

"We have been engaging in negotiations since February to protect our national interests, be it cars or any other products," Ishiba told reporters. "That has led to the results we have," he said.

"I will hear about the progress from minister Akazawa and assess it," he said.

Ishiba has cited the bilateral negotiations as a reason for why he needs to stay on as prime minister despite a crushing setback in Sunday's House of Councillors election.

Asked whether the agreement would affect his decision, Ishiba said he first needs to get more information on the tariff talks.