Takaichi, Trump swap praise for ‘new golden age’ ties

Tokyo (AFP) — Japan’s new premier Sanae Takaichi lavished US leader Donald Trump with praise and vows of a “golden age” of ties on his visit to Tokyo Tuesday, before inking a deal with Washington aimed at securing critical minerals.

Takaichi — Japan’s first woman prime minister — pulled out all the stops for Trump in her opening test on the international stage, and even announced she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the White House said.

In return, Trump, who was meeting conservative Takaichi for the first time on an Asia tour that aims for a deal with China, said Washington was an ally of the “strongest level.”

“It’s a great honor to be with you, especially so early in what will be, I think, one of the greatest prime ministers,” Trump told Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace state guest house.

Takaichi praised Trump’s efforts towards a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and his “unprecedented historic achievement” of the Gaza deal.

“I would like to realize a new golden age of the Japan-US Alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous,” she said.

The two sides also signed an agreement aimed at “achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains,” a statement said.

Beijing this month announced sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100 percent tariffs on imports from China in retaliation.

After meeting with Takaichi, Trump then swiftly headed to meet with families of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, where he said “the US is with them all the way” as they asked for help to find their loved ones.

After years of denial, North Korea admitted in 2002 that it had sent agents to kidnap 13 Japanese people who were used to train spies in Japanese language and customs. Japan says it also abducted others.