Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to depart for Washington on Wednesday night for a three-day visit. During her visit, she will meet with US President Donald Trump to strengthen the Japan-US alliance and discuss economic security cooperation. This visit marks Takaichi’s first trip to the US since assuming office in October.
Takaichi and Trump are set to hold discussions at the White House on Thursday, with plans for a working lunch and dinner hosted by Trump. The leaders are expected to focus on reinforcing their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific” and collaboration in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and critical minerals like rare earths. The meeting will also likely touch on the implementation of a bilateral deal reached in July.
The leaders are anticipated to address the tensions over tariffs with other nations and affirm the progress made in the bilateral agreement. This will be the second meeting between Trump and Takaichi, following their previous encounter in Tokyo last year. Before her departure, Takaichi faced challenges as Trump had urged Japan and other nations to deploy warships in the Strait of Hormuz for shipping safety, a request that was later retracted by Trump.
