PM Takaichi seeks strong U.S. ties with Trump

TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Monday as newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks to leverage a personal rapport with the former U.S. leader to ease trade tensions and strengthen bilateral ties.

One symbolic gesture under consideration is Japan’s potential purchase of a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks, a move aimed at appealing to Trump, though some question its practicality on the narrow streets of Tokyo.

The meeting marks an early diplomatic test for Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, who took office last week with a fragile coalition backing her. Trump and Takaichi spoke over the phone Saturday, with the Japanese leader highlighting her ties to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a longtime Trump ally, and praising his role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire.

“I thought he is a very cheerful and fun person. He well recognizes me and said he remembers me as a politician whom (former) Prime Minister Abe really cared about,” Takaichi said.

Trump, who spent Sunday in Malaysia attending a regional summit, expressed enthusiasm for the Ford trucks during his flight to Japan, calling them “hot trucks” and praising Takaichi’s taste.

Beneath the personal gestures, both sides aim to reset the increasingly complex trade relationship. Earlier this year, Trump’s tariffs shook up U.S.-Japan trade, prompting talks on increased American exports and investment commitments in the United States, particularly in manufacturing and energy infrastructure.

The Japan-U.S. discussions come ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, with both nations seeking to counter China’s growing presence in electric vehicles, AI, and advanced chip technology.

Japan previously agreed to invest P550 billion in the U.S., prompting Trump to reduce threatened tariffs on Japanese goods. The current administration is exploring projects in energy and semiconductor sectors to meet investment targets while benefiting Japanese vendors.

Beyond trade, Ford trucks and potential U.S.-made Toyota vehicles in Tokyo would symbolize growing American presence in Japan’s automotive market, long dominated by local brands.

Trump is expected to meet Emperor Naruhito Monday, hold talks with Takaichi Tuesday, deliver a speech aboard the U.S.S. George Washington aircraft carrier, and dine with business leaders before departing for South Korea Wednesday.

Analysts caution that Takaichi’s emphasis on her Abe connection could strengthen initial diplomacy with Trump but may limit her ability to establish an independent leadership profile.

“Succeeding the Abe-line rhetoric is definitely part of this engagement, though leaning too heavily on it could be a challenge for her own portfolio,” said Rintaro Nishimura, Japan specialist at The Asia Group.