TOKYO (Realist English). U.S. President Donald Trump praised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday during his visit to Tokyo, calling her a “great leader” as the two countries signed new agreements on trade, defense, and critical minerals.
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister and a longtime ally of the late Shinzo Abe, pledged to accelerate Japan’s military buildup, raising defense spending to 2% of GDP in response to China’s growing assertiveness.
“It’s a very strong handshake,” Trump said after greeting Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace. “Everything I know from Shinzo and others tells me you’ll be one of the great prime ministers. And congratulations on being the first woman to hold this office — it’s a big deal.”
According to the White House, Takaichi told Trump she would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in brokering ceasefires between Israel and Palestinian militants, and Thailand and Cambodia.
New deals on critical minerals and trade
The two leaders signed a critical minerals cooperation agreement, aimed at reducing dependence on China’s control of rare earths essential for electronics, electric vehicles, and defense industries. The deal commits both countries to jointly identify projects in magnets and batteries over the next six months and develop strategic stockpiles of key minerals.
Takaichi also reaffirmed a $550 billion U.S. investment package agreed earlier this year, which includes shipbuilding and increased Japanese purchases of American soybeans, natural gas, and pickup trucks.
Sources familiar with the talks said the gestures are designed to temper Trump’s calls for Japan to spend more on defense while deepening economic ties between the allies.
Trump praised Japan’s ongoing efforts to expand its defense procurement from the U.S., while Takaichi highlighted his “unprecedented achievements” in international diplomacy.
Gifts, symbolism, and political strategy
In a personal gesture, Takaichi presented Trump with Abe’s putter, a golf bag signed by champion Hideki Matsuyama, and a gold leaf golf ball, evoking memories of Trump’s friendship with Abe, who was his frequent golfing partner during his first term.
Analysts say the gifts and references to Abe were a symbolic effort by Takaichi to emphasize continuity in Japan-U.S. relations and strengthen her political standing at home, where her coalition remains two seats short of a parliamentary majority.
During their working lunch, Trump and Takaichi were served American rice and beef prepared with Japanese ingredients, according to the White House and Kyodo News.
Later on Tuesday, Trump and Takaichi visited the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, home to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, a key element of the U.S. Indo-Pacific presence. Trump will then meet Japanese business leaders before departing for South Korea, where he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at securing a trade truce between Washington and Beijing.
