Trump meets Takaichi in a big test for US-Japan ties — with an eye on China

Japan’s newly inducted Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, as the new leadership in Tokyo tries to renew its relationship with Washington.

During their meeting, Trump said that “the US is Japan’s ally at the strongest level”, while PM Takaichi said that she wants to “realise a new golden age” of relations with the United States as she met President Donald Trump in Tokyo.

“I would like to realise a new golden age of the Japan-US Alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous,” she said as the two leaders sat down for talks.

Takaichi’s first major test on the international stage will come as she attends the Asean summit in Malaysia and the Apec meeting in South Korea, trips that will show how much of her signature conservative rhetoric she brings into office.

More from World

Sanae Takaichi breaks Japan’s glass ceiling but faces 5 major challenges—Trump is just one Japan’s first woman PM: Will Sanae Takaichi usher in gender reforms in a patriarchal nation?

As Trump and Takaichi hold a meeting, here’s a look at what is at stake.

What’s on agenda?

Their discussions are expected to focus on tariffs, regional security, and Japan’s defence spending, all sources of tension in recent months. Within Japan’s conservative ruling party, some have voiced concern that Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific may be waning as it places greater demands on its allies.

Defence is set to dominate the agenda. Under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan vowed to boost defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP by 2027. Takaichi now aims to accelerate that goal to March 2026, urging Japan to “proactively advance the fundamental strengthening of its defence capabilities” in her first address to parliament. However, how this buildup will be funded remains uncertain. With the yen weakening and Takaichi advocating tax cuts, financing her plans could prove challenging.

Trade issues may be just as difficult. Since returning to the office, Trump has revived his tariff battles, targeting even long-standing allies. After months of negotiations, tariffs on Japanese exports were reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, while Tokyo agreed to invest $550 billion in US industries. Still, many of the deal’s details remain unclear, and Takaichi is expected to press for greater transparency.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

UK police arrest 32-year-old man for ‘racially aggravated’ rape of Indian-origin woman

Magnitude-6.5 earthquake strikes off Guadeloupe coast, no damage reported

Eyes on China

Takaichi’s approach to regional diplomacy will be a key factor in determining how well she works with Trump. She has long been associated with a hardline stance, sharply criticising China’s expanding military influence and taking a conservative, nationalist position on historical disputes with South Korea, where memories of Japan’s colonial rule and wartime sexual slavery still strain ties. Her repeated visits to the contentious Yasukuni Shrine, viewed by neighbouring countries as a symbol of Japan’s wartime aggression, have also fueled regional tensions.

However, since assuming office, she has signalled a shift toward a more conciliatory tone.

The two leaders are in the final stages of preparing a joint document on securing rare earths and other critical minerals and strengthening supply chains.

The agreement, which the two leaders plan to sign during their meeting later on Tuesday, aims to address economic security concerns following China’s move in October to tighten export controls on rare earths, which are crucial for a wide range of products from smartphones to fighter jets, the paper said citing Japanese government officials.

With inputs from agencies