Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with President Donald Trump after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not quickly join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Iran’s development of its nuclear programme and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker.
She told the US president through an interpreter that in the Middle East and around the world now, there was “a very severe security environment”, but said: “Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.”
The two leaders had warm words for each other, including Trump calling the prime minister a “popular, powerful woman”, but there appeared to be some tension as they faced repeated questions from reporters about Japan’s support for the Iran conflict.
As Trump fielded questions during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister in the Oval Office, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch.
And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark – invoking Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor – when he was asked why the United States didn’t notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes on Iran.
“We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?” Trump joked.
As Trump said that, Takaichi’s slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows.
But the pair were all smiles in the evening, as Trump hosted a dinner in the prime minister’s office.
“This is a spectacular woman, and it’s an honour to have you at the White House,” Trump said.
Taikaichi referred to the leaders through an interpreter as “best buddies” before declaring, in English: “Japan is back.”
Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japan’s level of support for the United States in the Iran conflict, saying: “They are really stepping up to the plate.” He did not offer details.
The president later said that much of the oil Japan relies on passes through the Strait of Hormuz and said: “So that’s a big reason to step up.”
He also mentioned US spending in Japan and the number of troops it has stationed there.
“I expect Japan to step up, you know, because we have that kind of relationship,” Trump said.
Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump signed a US$40bil (RM157bil) nuclear reactor deal, the White House said.
Under it, US-based GE Vernova Inc and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd are set to build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama. The deal aims to help stabilise electricity prices and expand power generation in the United States.
Thursday’s joint statement also announced a US$33bil (RM130bil) investment in natural gas power generation facilities in Pennsylvania and Texas.
Both countries announced the first tranche of projects under the new investment fund in February, with US$36bil (RM142bil) in commitments in three infrastructure projects.
Thursday’s statement said the projects would ensure security by “accelerating economic growth of both countries, thereby paving the way for a New Golden Age of the ever-growing Japan-US Alliance”. — Agencies
