Trump Praises Japan’s First Female Leader Sanae Takaichi During Trade and Defence Talks in Tokyo
TOKYO, October 28 — U.S. President Donald Trump hailed Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, as a “great leader” during a high-profile meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed key issues including trade partnerships, defence cooperation, and a landmark agreement on critical minerals aimed at reducing dependency on China.
Warm Welcome and Historic Meeting
In a cordial setting at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, President Trump congratulated Takaichi on becoming Japan’s first-ever female prime minister. He praised her leadership and commitment to strengthening Japan’s military and global alliances.
“Everything I know from Shinzo and others tells me you’ll be one of the great prime ministers. Congratulations on being the first woman prime minister—it’s a big deal,” Trump said.
Takaichi, a protégé of the late Shinzo Abe—Trump’s former ally and golfing partner—responded by expressing admiration for Trump’s foreign policy efforts. She even promised to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his mediation in global conflicts.
Trade and Investment Deals Strengthen U.S.-Japan Ties
The Tokyo summit also highlighted deepening economic ties. Japan is expected to offer a $550-billion investment package to the United States under agreements reached earlier this year.
According to sources, this includes:
Major projects in shipbuilding and energy
Purchases of U.S. soybeans, natural gas, and pickup trucks
Over $400 billion in planned investments by Japanese firms in American energy and artificial intelligence sectors
During a luncheon featuring U.S. rice and beef alongside vegetables from Takaichi’s hometown of Nara, the Japanese leader presented Trump with a map showing Japanese business investments across the U.S. since 2009.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that these deals will be formally announced later this week.
Honouring Shinzo Abe’s Legacy
Takaichi honoured her late mentor by presenting Trump with symbolic gifts—a putter encased in glass, a golf bag signed by Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, and a gold-leaf golf ball. These gestures celebrated Abe’s long friendship with Trump, which began soon after Trump’s 2016 election.
Abe, assassinated in 2022, was the first world leader to meet Trump after his victory and played a vital role in shaping Japan-U.S. relations through shared strategic goals and personal diplomacy.
Critical Minerals Agreement Signed
A major highlight of the summit was the signing of a new agreement on critical minerals and rare earth elements. The deal is designed to counter China’s dominance in these essential resources—vital for manufacturing smartphones, batteries, and fighter jets.
Key points of the agreement include:
Identifying joint projects in magnet and battery development within six months
Building shared stockpiles of rare earth materials
Strengthening supply chain cooperation between the two countries
Trump commended Japan’s plans to purchase more U.S.-made defence equipment, while Takaichi praised Trump’s diplomatic achievements in brokering ceasefires in regions such as Cambodia-Thailand and Israel-Palestine.
Emotional Meeting with North Korea Abduction Families
In a moving moment, Trump met with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1960s and 1970s. The issue remains deeply emotional in Japan, as many families continue to seek answers about their loved ones.
“The United States is with them all the way,” Trump assured reporters, reaffirming U.S. support for Japan’s efforts to resolve the abduction issue.
The U.S. president also hinted he remains open to meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia tour.
A Busy Diplomatic Agenda in Asia
Trump’s Tokyo visit forms part of a five-day diplomatic tour across Asia, which began in Malaysia on Sunday. After Japan, he will travel to South Korea for talks with President Lee Jae Myung, and hopes to finalise a trade war truce with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Seoul on Thursday.
Before leaving Japan, Trump and Takaichi will tour the U.S. Naval Base in Yokosuka, home to the USS George Washington, a key symbol of U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth is also scheduled to meet Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Wednesday.
Takaichi’s Domestic Challenges and Political Strategy
Political analysts believe Takaichi’s efforts to highlight her ties to Trump and Abe could help strengthen her fragile standing at home. Despite her rising popularity, her coalition government remains two votes short of a parliamentary majority.
By invoking Abe’s legacy and aligning closely with Washington, Takaichi appears determined to consolidate Japan’s leadership role in regional security and technological innovation—while navigating Trump’s unpredictable but influential diplomacy.
Sources:
Reuters
NHK World Japan
The Japan Times
U.S. White House Press Pool
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