the new prime minister of Japan

The Asian tour of Donald Trump It continues to unfold between the red carpet and the applause of the leaders of the countries it visits. The last to surrender to the American president has been the new prime minister of Japan, the conservative Sanae Takaichi. During a meeting held in Tokyo, in which they signed a trade agreement and another on collaboration in the provision of rare earths and critical minerals, both leaders committed to taking the relationship between both nations to a “golden age.”

Takaichi gave Trump the golf club of the late Shinzo Abe, his political mentor, delicately preserved in a glass case and a club bag signed by golfer Hideki Matsuyama. In fact, the summit started late because they were watching a baseball game.

“All I know from Shinzo and others is that you will be one of the great prime ministers. I would also like to congratulate you on being the first woman to hold that position. It is a very important thing,” Trump told Takaichi as the two sat down to talk with their delegations at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

The Japanese president responded to the praise by assuring that she will promote Trump’s candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026, according to the White House. Takaichi thus joins the list of foreign leaders allied with the Republican president who have requested the award for his mediation in almost a dozen wars – the last was Malaysian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The magnate was disappointed to see a few weeks ago how this year’s award went to the Venezuelan opponent María Corina Machado.

During the opening remarks of the meeting, open to the press, Takaichi praised Trump’s work on the ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, as well as “the unprecedented historic achievement” obtained in the Middle East. “Prime Minister Abe frequently spoke to me about his dynamic diplomacy,” said the prime minister, highlighting the good friendship that Trump and the late Japanese ruler displayed during the first term of the Republican, who confessed to being “saddened” by his assassination.

“I would like to achieve a new golden era of the alliance between Japan and the United States in which both become stronger and also more prosperous,” Takaichi added in what was his first face-to-face with the American president since his appointment a week ago. Trump, after landing in Tokyo from Malaysia, revealed that his Administration is “excited” about this new chapter with Japan.

“I think we are going to achieve enormous trade together, more than ever, just by signing a new agreement, a very fair agreement,” the president declared, highlighting Japan’s recent arms order “for a large amount of new military equipment.” “They know that we manufacture the best military equipment in the world: jet planes, missiles and everything elseand we hope not to have to use them much, or even ever. But we appreciate that request and the trade,” added the US president.

Trump also stated that he anticipates having a “fantastic relationship” with the new Japanese president and said that he has always felt “great love and respect” for Japan: “I can say that this relationship will be stronger than ever.” “I just want you to know: if you have any questions, concerns, anything you want, any favor you need, anything you can do to help Japan, we will be there,” he added.

Takaichi and Trump subsequently signed an agreement on critical minerals and rare earths. This is an effort to reduce China’s dependence on these crucial materials for a wide range of products, from smartphones to fighter jets. The pact seeks to jointly identify projects of interest in areas such as magnets and batteries over the next six months and collaborate to develop key mineral reserves, among other measures.

During a lunch of American rice and meat and vegetables from Nara, Takaichi’s hometown, the Japanese leader presented Trump with a map of the main investments that Japanese companies have made in the United States since his last visit in 2009.