US President Donald Trump gave his “total endorsement” of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a national election in Japan tomorrow, adding that he looked forward to hosting her at the White House next month.
Japan’s first female premier, a conservative who said she draws inspiration from Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, was already expected to deliver a solid win for her ruling coalition, according to opinion polls.
She is seeking a public mandate for spending plans that have rattled investors, and a defence build-up that could further strain relations with China.
Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party and its partner, the Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, could capture around 300 seats in the 465-seat lower house of parliament, the polls show, well up from the razor-thin majority they now control.
“Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
“It is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing.”
Unlike his predecessors, Trump has increasingly sought to shape foreign elections.
Analysts say his backing of Takaichi, 64, a nationalist and defence hawk, fits a growing pattern of aligning with right-wing leaders abroad.
On Thursday, Trump endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a vote there in April and last year backed Argentine President Javier Milei, highlighting US financial support as a factor in Milei’s 2025 legislative success.
Even though Takaichi already appears poised for a commanding victory, Trump’s endorsement will resonate in Japan, said Asuka Tatebayashi, a geopolitical analyst at Mizuho Bank.
“From the perspective of the business community, improved relations and better recognition by Trump will be seen as a positive,” Tatebayashi said.
“And even amongst the general population, Trump is surprisingly popular in Japan compared to some western countries.”
Japanese government spokesman Kei Sato declined to comment on Trump’s endorsement but confirmed that Trump had invited Takaichi to visit Washington on March 19.
“Amid a rapidly changing international situation, the visit is expected to provide an opportunity to reaffirm the unwavering bonds of the Japan-US alliance,” Sato said. — Reuters
