On March 19, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae made her first official go to to america for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. She acknowledged that this summit could be “very troublesome,” because the assembly was anticipated to be overshadowed by the struggle in Iran and her disagreements with Trump over the extent of Japanese involvement within the battle.
Regardless of such circumstances, Takaichi can name the summit a hit.
Earlier than the summit, Trump had been pressuring Japan to ship its minesweepers to assist oil and fuel tankers safely navigate the Strait of Hormuz. Takaichi refused to take action, as Japan has no authorized mechanism for sending armed forces to assist an ongoing struggle it’s not part of.
On March 19, sitting subsequent to Trump within the Oval Workplace, Takaichi’s technique was to supply flattery, stating that it’s “solely you, Donald, who can obtain peace the world over.” She additionally supplied guarantees to assist U.S. efforts to stabilize power markets and safe delivery by means of the Strait of Hormuz, however made no agency dedication to naval deployments. Takaichi hoped that this could be sufficient to placate Trump in the intervening time, as he had informed Japan and different allies previous to the summit that he’s extra targeted on acquiring excessive stage statements of assist somewhat than particular contributions.
Her strategy clearly labored. Trump praised Japan for “stepping as much as the plate” on Iran, framing Japan as a mannequin ally compared with NATO. On the identical time, he downplayed his wishes for allied help, saying that the struggle is “forward of schedule,” and that it might be over quickly as Iran’s navy, air power, anti-aircraft capabilities, and key management have been “demolished.” For now, the query of whether or not Japan will make concrete contributions to the Iran battle has been left for an additional day.
As an alternative, the deliverables from the summit targeted on financial offers, significantly involving power and important minerals.
The US and Japan introduced plans to assemble small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama at an estimated value of $40 billion, and to assemble pure fuel technology amenities in Pennsylvania and Texas at an estimated value of $17 billion and $16 billion, respectively. The 2 international locations additionally launched an motion plan for growing crucial mineral value flooring, and a memorandum of cooperation to share info on deep sea mining, together with Japan’s ongoing exploration mission to mine the uncommon earth wealthy mud off the coast of its Minamitorishima island. Moreover, Japan introduced plans to strengthen inbound funding based mostly on nationwide safety dangers, and america introduced that it might prioritize visa processing for non permanent enterprise vacationers.
On the press convention, Trump additionally stated that he could be “talking Japan’s praises” in his upcoming summit in China (initially scheduled for early April, however since delayed). That is excellent news for Japan; China has been concentrating on Japan with export controls in an ongoing spat over Takaichi’s November feedback {that a} Taiwan contingency might be thought-about a “survival threatening state of affairs” – a authorized formulation that authorizes Japan to make use of its armed forces for protection functions.
Takaichi had deliberate to make use of this summit to make clear Trump’s place on China and persuade Trump towards making any sweeping financial offers that may jeopardize Indo-Pacific safety and sideline Japanese pursuits. With Trump having postponed the China summit by “a month or so,” and reportedly not speaking with Beijing about his expectations for the go to, questions stay as to what’s going to come out of his summit with China’s Xi Jinping. Nonetheless, this remark from Trump offers Japan some reassurance that he could have consideration for Japanese pursuits.
Finally, Takaichi was capable of decide up the place she left off throughout October’s Japan-U.S. summit in Tokyo. All through the assembly, her chemistry and heat with Trump was nonetheless obvious. Trump’s off-the-cuff comparability of america’ shock assault on Iran to Japan’s assault on Pearl Harbor in 1941 created a tense second and is understandably grabbing headlines, because it breaks a decades-long taboo. Nonetheless, on stability, he obtained Takaichi warmly. He congratulated Takaichi on her profitable election, calling her a “well-liked highly effective girl,” complimented her English talents, and invited reporters to ask her questions after most of their queries had been directed his manner.
When Takaichi met Trump for the primary time in October 2025, she defied expectations, hitting it off with Trump with out having to supply any concessions. This time, many anxious whether or not her good accord with Trump would face up to Trump’s struggle with Iran and his calls for on U.S. allies. As soon as once more, Takaichi not solely defied expectations – she exceeded them.
