Former US President Donald Trump announced on 5/2 that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would visit Washington on 19/3. "Ms. Takaichi has proven herself to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader, who truly loves her country," he wrote on Truth Social.

According to Trump, the US and Japan are working to advance an important trade agreement and strengthen national security cooperation. He expressed his "full and absolute" support for Ms. Takaichi. "Prime Minister Takaichi deserves recognition for what she and the ruling coalition are doing," the former US President added.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) and President Trump. *Photo: AFP*

Trump's post came days before the Japanese election. Poll results indicate that Ms. Takaichi's coalition, which took office in October 2025 and made her Japan's first female prime minister, could win overwhelmingly.

US presidents typically avoid endorsing candidates in foreign elections, but Trump has done so repeatedly, as seen with the president of Argentina and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Prime Minister Takaichi gave Trump a gracious reception when the US leader visited Japan shortly after she took office. She gifted him a golf club once used by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a golf bag signed by Japanese champion Hideki Matsuyama. She also supported Trump for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

Jeff Kingston, a professor of history and Asian studies at Temple University Japan, stated, "Trump will welcome the election of a conservative leader with strong support. He likes winners, and Ms. Takaichi has demonstrated her ability by pushing for increased defense spending and backing investment deals to cut tariffs."

Huyen Le (According to AFP)