During his official visit to Japan, US President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader, to strengthen defence and economic ties. The visit marked a significant moment in Japan–US relations, as both nations signed major trade and rare earth agreements while reaffirming their shared strategic goals. Takaichi, a close protégé of the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, praised Trump for his diplomatic initiatives in resolving global conflicts and even vowed to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, as confirmed by Trump’s spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt. Trump, in return, commended Takaichi’s commitment to accelerate Japan’s military buildup, particularly her pledge to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP amid growing regional tensions with China.
The two leaders discussed a wide-ranging agenda that included economic cooperation, defence procurement, and energy security. Japan is expected to roll out a $550-billion investment package in partnership with the United States, covering sectors such as shipbuilding, agriculture, and energy. Tokyo also promised increased purchases of American soybeans, natural gas, and vehicles, reflecting its intent to maintain strong economic ties while balancing Trump’s often unpredictable trade demands. Over lunch featuring US beef and rice, Takaichi presented Trump with a detailed map highlighting more than $400 billion in new Japanese investments planned for the United States in fields like artificial intelligence and renewable energy.
The meeting carried deep symbolic weight as Takaichi repeatedly invoked Shinzo Abe’s legacy, presenting Trump with personal gifts once owned by the late leader, including a golf putter encased in glass, a signed golf bag, and a gold-leaf golf ball. Abe, who was assassinated in 2022, had shared a notably close personal rapport with Trump during his presidency, and Takaichi’s gestures were widely seen as an effort to rekindle that warmth to strengthen bilateral ties. Trump reciprocated by praising Abe’s memory and expressing confidence in Takaichi’s leadership, telling her she would be “one of the great prime ministers.”
Following the bilateral talks, Trump and Takaichi signed a deal aimed at securing critical mineral and rare earth supplies, reducing both nations’ dependence on China’s near-monopoly in these resources. Trump highlighted Japan’s ongoing purchases of US defence equipment, while Takaichi credited him for his peace efforts in regions such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Later in the day, Trump met with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago, pledging continued US support for Japan’s efforts to secure a full accounting from Pyongyang.
The visit concluded with a symbolic event at the US Naval base in Yokosuka, where Trump and Takaichi addressed 6,000 American sailors aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier. Flanked by fighter jets, Trump introduced Takaichi as “a winner,” while she thanked the US military for its enduring role in defending Japan and ensuring regional stability. Japan hosts the largest concentration of American military forces outside the United States, a cornerstone of their alliance.
Takaichi’s efforts to emphasise Abe’s legacy and align herself with Trump are also viewed through the lens of domestic politics. Despite a recent surge in popularity, her coalition government remains two votes short of a parliamentary majority. Political analysts believe her outreach to Trump could strengthen her standing at home and give her leverage in navigating Trump’s often volatile diplomatic style. As Trump continues his five-day Asia tour, with stops in South Korea and a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, his visit to Tokyo has reaffirmed both leaders’ intent to project unity in the face of global and regional challenges.
