Historic Japan-US Alliance: First Female PM Takaichi and Trump Strengthen Ties

U.S. President Donald Trump showered commendations on Japan's pioneering female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, during a Tokyo visit, where he endorsed her military expansion plans and solidified bilateral agreements involving trade and critical minerals. Takaichi, closely linked to late Japanese premier Shinzo Abe, expressed her intent to fast-track defense expenditure to counter emerging regional threats.

Takaichi's initiatives include a hefty $550-billion package promising significant U.S. investments, especially in shipbuilding, soybeans, natural gas, and pickup trucks. These moves could potentially quell Trump's expectations for Japan's increased defense spending, as the premier boosts military budget commitments to 2% of Japan's GDP.

Notably, Takaichi offered Trump symbolic gifts, such as Abe's treasured putter, aligning with an overarching diplomatic strategy that references a well-established rapport. This approach may fortify her domestic political standing, given her government's fragile majority. Together, Trump and Takaichi plan to enhance the strategic supply of critical minerals and discuss mutual defense commitments at the U.S. naval base.