Trump Praises Takaichi for Supporting Iran War

It hasn’t been an easy week for U.S. President Donald Trump. NATO’s European members are refusing Washington’s calls for help in the Strait of Hormuz. Domestic U.S. support for the Iran war remains divided as U.S. military spending rises. And oil prices are hitting record highs amid an unprecedented disruption to global energy flows. But, in Trump’s telling, at least Japan has the United States’ back.

Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday, during which he praised Tokyo for “really stepping up to the plate” on Iran, “unlike NATO.” Although Japan has also stopped short of deploying forces to the strait, Takaichi has doubled down on her pro-Trump rhetoric, perhaps hoping that words appease the White House as much as actions do.

It hasn’t been an easy week for U.S. President Donald Trump. NATO’s European members are refusing Washington’s calls for help in the Strait of Hormuz. Domestic U.S. support for the Iran war remains divided as U.S. military spending rises. And oil prices are hitting record highs amid an unprecedented disruption to global energy flows. But, in Trump’s telling, at least Japan has the United States’ back.

Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday, during which he praised Tokyo for “really stepping up to the plate” on Iran, “unlike NATO.” Although Japan has also stopped short of deploying forces to the strait, Takaichi has doubled down on her pro-Trump rhetoric, perhaps hoping that words appease the White House as much as actions do.

In her remarks in the Oval Office, Takaichi acknowledged that the global economy will take a “huge hit” due to the war. However, she added: “Even against that backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world.” She also agreed that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, and she told Trump that Japan has “specific proposals to calm down global energy markets.”

Since taking office last October, Takaichi has walked a fine line between pleasing Trump and assuaging Japanese citizens, who largely remain opposed to the Iran war despite voting in favor of Takaichi’s shift away from Japan’s post-World War II pacifist constitution.

Just hours before departing for Washington on Wednesday, Takaichi promised Japan’s parliament that she would “do everything to maximize [Japan’s] national interest” in anticipation of a “very difficult” conversation with Trump.

Read more in today’s World Brief: Trump Praises Japan’s Takaichi for ‘Stepping Up’ in Iran War.

This post is part of FP’s ongoing coverage of the Trump administration. Follow along here.

Alexandra Sharp is the World Brief writer at Foreign Policy. Bluesky: @alexandrassharp.bsky.social X: @AlexandraSSharp

Commenting is a benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription.

Already a subscriber? Log In.

Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now.

Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs.

I agree to abide by FP’s comment guidelines. (Required)

The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account. Usernames may be updated at any time and must not contain inappropriate or offensive language.

I agree to abide by FP’s comment guidelines. (Required)

Despite a landslide victory, questions remain over the prime minister’s popularity and her fiscal plans.

Coercion, diplomacy, or both—but the president needs to choose a strategy and implement it.

Tulsi Gabbard faced bipartisan scrutiny over the administration’s justifications for the Iran war.