Takaichi, Trump vow to bolster Japan-US alliance, eye ‘new golden era’ of cooperation

Tokyo | Japan’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday pledged to usher in a “new golden era” of the Japan-U.S. alliance, vowing to strengthen defense deterrence and deepen economic ties during their first summit in Tokyo.

Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, declared that she was “convinced” she could take bilateral ties to “new heights” under Trump’s leadership. The U.S. president, meanwhile, praised the partnership as “stronger than ever before” and promised unwavering American support for Japan’s security needs.

At the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Taiwan Strait, and condemned any unilateral attempts to alter the regional status quo — a clear message to China. They also emphasized continued cooperation on North Korea’s denuclearization and the abduction issue, which Trump discussed with families of victims abducted by Pyongyang decades ago.

On the economic front, Takaichi and Trump signed a series of agreements to secure rare earths and critical minerals, key to strengthening supply chains amid growing competition with Beijing. The two also confirmed the smooth implementation of a July trade deal, under which Japan will invest $550 billion in U.S. industries such as semiconductors, shipbuilding, and critical minerals. In return, Washington agreed to slash tariffs on Japanese automobiles from 27.5% to 15%.

Takaichi sought to build a warm rapport with Trump, reminiscent of her mentor, the late Shinzo Abe, lauding Trump’s “historic achievements” in Middle East diplomacy. She even told him she would recommend him for the Nobel Peace Prize, according to the White House.

Following their talks, the two leaders flew aboard Marine One to the U.S. Navy’s George Washington aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, where they addressed American and Japanese troops, vowing to work together for regional peace and security.

Takaichi has pledged to raise Japan’s defense spending to 2% of GDP by March, two years earlier than initially planned, signaling her commitment to a more assertive security stance.

Trump, who called Abe “a great friend,” said he expects a “fantastic relationship” with Takaichi, promising that “any time Japan needs help, we will be there.”

The summit underscored a renewed strategic alignment between Tokyo and Washington as both nations face mounting challenges from China’s growing assertiveness and North Korea’s advancing weapons programs.

Trump will next travel to South Korea, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, continuing his three-nation Asian tour that began in Malaysia.