Tokyo —
Sanae Takaichi shared that prior to her swearing-in as Japan’s prime minister, she had been invited to meet with then-President Donald Trump.
In November, shortly after Trump’s election victory, she mentioned on her official account on X that several individuals close to Trump had suggested she travel to Washington.
Nevertheless, she declined the invitation, believing that the then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba should be the first Japanese legislator to engage with the new American leader.
“However, my aspiration is to be in a position to meet him openly one day,” she stated.
That day has seemingly arrived.
Takaichi’s initial significant challenge on the global front will present itself during her attendance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and the APEC meeting in South Korea. These events will showcase how much of her hallmark conservative rhetoric will be threaded through her administration. The most significant moment, however, will likely occur during the summit when President Trump visits Tokyo for an audience with Emperor Naruhito, marking the first meeting between him and Takaichi on Tuesday.
Trump, while en route to Asia aboard Air Force One, spoke highly of Takaichi.
They spoke on the phone recently, and Trump described the conversation as “very good.” He praised Takaichi, noting she is “amazing, beautiful and very friendly.”
The upcoming meeting carries high stakes for Japan’s new leader. The alliance between Japan and the U.S. is among the strongest globally, yet Takaichi’s relative lack of diplomatic experience, combined with Trump’s unpredictability, will make their first encounter a crucial trial.
Discussions are expected to revolve around heightened tensions from recent months, including tariffs, regional security, and Japan’s defense spending. Some factions within Japan’s ruling conservative party are apprehensive about America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, particularly as it continues to press its allies for more.
Domestically, Takaichi faces her own hurdles. Her Liberal Democratic Party is still reeling from a corruption scandal, and how she performs overseas could dictate her political trajectory and her party’s recovery. Her approval ratings stand at a notable 71%, with hopes to sustain that momentum.
Defense remains top of mind.
Under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan committed to increasing defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2027. Takaichi now aims to expedite this timeline to March 2026, pledging in her inaugural address to the Diet that Japan must “actively proceed with the fundamental strengthening of its defense capabilities.” Yet, questions linger about how to finance these aspirations, especially with a weakening yen and the push for tax reductions.
Trade issues could also prove challenging. Since reclaiming office, Trump has reignited tariff conflicts, including tougher measures against traditional allies. Following lengthy negotiations, tariffs on Japanese products were reduced from 25% to 15%, and in turn, the Japanese government committed to investing $550 billion into the U.S. economy. However, numerous specifics remain vague, and Takaichi is likely to pursue additional clarity.
She also plans to rely on seasoned experts to guide her in Washington. Key cabinet members include Yoshio Akazawa, who recently handled tariff discussions, and various former aides from Shinzo Abe’s administration who maintained robust connections with Trump.
“This signals to both domestic and international audiences that she aims to carry on Abe’s principles rather than those of Kishida or Ishiba,” remarked Rintaro Nishimura, a senior associate at a consulting firm in Tokyo.
Energy dependencies are another potential topic. Japan still relies on around 10% of its liquefied natural gas imports from Russia, and the U.S. government is pushing for a reduction in this reliance. The Japanese administration has pledged to ease this dependence, but officials express concerns that an abrupt halt could jeopardize energy security.
How Takaichi manages regional relations will also be pivotal in her interactions with Trump. Known for her hardline stances, she has criticized China’s growing military presence and historically adopts a nationalist tone regarding past issues with South Korea, where Japan’s history of colonialism continues to complicate relations. Her visit to the contentious Yasukuni Shrine has also stirred tensions with neighboring countries.
Interestingly, since taking office, Takaichi appears to be signaling a more moderate approach.
During her first press conference as prime minister, she highlighted positive aspects of some prominent exports and aimed to alleviate apprehensions regarding her previous anti-Korean position.
“There seems to be a lot of anxiety, but I genuinely enjoy Korean seaweed and use Korean cosmetics,” she mentioned, noting her interest in Korean dramas. Strengthening ties with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung aligns with the foreign policy advocated by Washington, which encourages multilateral cooperation amongst allied nations rather than bilateral dependence.
Nishimura added, “It’s increasingly understood that Japan and South Korea must cooperate in today’s uncertain climate.” He suggested that deepening defense ties among these U.S. allies would alleviate some of the burden on America within the region.
Balancing relations with China, however, may prove to be the trickiest task for Takaichi.
Misako Iwamoto, a political science and women’s studies expert, noted, “Japan is walking a tightrope between the United States and China.”
Before her election, strains were already growing between Japan and China, evidenced by increased Chinese vessel activity around contested islands. Japan’s defense documents also started referring to China as the “top security threat.”
In her inaugural conference, Takaichi vowed to elevate Japan-U.S. relations and emphasized the alliance’s role as foundational to Japan’s foreign and security policies. She concluded with strong assertions of urgency, declaring, “We don’t have time to stand still.”
Indeed, there’s a lot on Takaichi’s plate. From restoring domestic confidence to finding Japan’s footing between the U.S. and China, her decisions could greatly influence her legacy as prime minister and shape the future tone and substance of Japan-U.S. relations for years ahead.
