Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump opened one of the busiest days of his Asia trip Tuesday with a meeting alongside Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, as the two leaders worked to reinforce a longstanding alliance while navigating shifting economic priorities.
Takaichi, sworn in only days earlier as Japan’s first female prime minister, met to establish strong ties with President Trump. The president noted the historic nature of her role, stating that, “We are an ally at the strongest level.”
Japan is one of Washington’s closest partners in the region, though questions remain over trade and investment commitments. President Trump is seeking $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a broader economic agreement.
The two leaders met at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, where President Trump greeted Takaichi with praise. She referenced watching the third game of the U.S. World Series and said Japan planned to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by gifting 250 cherry trees and fireworks from Akita Prefecture.
The meeting also included plans to strengthen commercial ties. Takaichi is expected to push measures that could increase imports of American-made vehicles, a point Trump has repeatedly highlighted.
Trump and Takaichi signed an agreement to implement what they described as a new “golden age” of cooperation, including a document reaffirming existing terms for U.S. tariffs on Japanese imports at 15 percent and the creation of a multibillion-dollar investment fund. A second agreement focused on securing supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements essential for advanced technology manufacturing.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later said Takaichi would nominate President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The two leaders also met with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, a longstanding and highly emotional issue in Japan.
While trade and tariffs have dominated the president’s approach to Asia, the day’s schedule extended to U.S. military engagement. President Trump planned to address American service members aboard the USS George Washington, an aircraft carrier stationed at a U.S. base near Tokyo, to highlight the security partnership as part of the new alliance with Japan.
