Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought to reaffirm her alliance with US President Donald Trump after the president this week seemed to complain that Japan was among the nations that did not join his call to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark when asked why the US didn’t notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes in Iran. (Source: Reuters)
Takaichi, who met with Trump at the White House, told the Republican president that Japan has opposed Iran's development of its nuclear program and appealed to his desire to be seen as a peacemaker, despite launching a war of choice with Iran, by telling him through an interpreter: "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 war.
As Trump took questions from reporters during the roughly 30-minute public appearance with the prime minister before their closed-door meeting, Taikaichi could be seen checking her watch. And then Trump made a particularly uncomfortable remark invoking Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour when he was asked why the US didn’t notify allies like Japan ahead of the strikes in 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 Harbour, OK?" Trump joked.
As Trump said that, Takaichi’s slight smile appeared to drop, and she raised her eyebrows.
Trump told reporters that he and Takaichi would be discussing in their meeting Japan’s level of support for the US in the Iran war, saying, “They are really stepping up to the plate.” He did not offer details.
He 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.
A nuclear reactor deal announcement is expected
Taikaichi’s meeting at the White House, followed by a dinner, was supposed to give Japan’s new prime minister a prime opportunity to have Trump’s ear before he embarked on a trip to China.
But now, the war in Iran and Trump’s unsuccessful call for Japan and other nations to help protect the vital Strait of Hormuz means the China trip has been delayed. Trump had repeatedly complained on camera and online that US allies, including Japan, rejected his request to help safeguard the critical waterway for oil and gas transport.
The prime minister acknowledged before she left Japan that she expected her meeting with Trump will be "very difficult".
Beyond facing questions about Iran, Takaichi and Trump are expected to announce a US$40 billion nuclear reactor deal, according to a White House official, who was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details before the announcement.
Under the deal, US-based GE Vernova Inc. and Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. will build advanced small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, the official said. The deal aims to help stabilise electricity prices and expand power generation in the US.
Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships for the US-Israeli operation.
Japan, a key US ally in Asia, is one of the countries that Trump namechecked as he railed against the lack of help with the Strait of Hormuz before declaring the help wasn’t needed.
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