Trump says Japan ‘stepping up to the plate’ on Iran
US President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the White House and said he believed Japan was “truly on the same level” on Iran, unlike the NATO military alliance.
Trump criticized his allies for their lukewarm support for the US-Israeli military operation and said the US did not need any assistance.
But he is still pushing for more ships to clear mines and escort tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which was largely blocked by Iran during the conflict.
Before the meeting, Japan also joined many European countries in issuing a joint statement, stating that they would take steps to stabilize energy markets and were ready to participate in “appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage through the Bosphorus.
As Trump welcomed Takaichi to the Oval Office, he praised last month’s election victory as “record-breaking.”
He said they would “talk about trade and many other issues,” including Iran.
“We have tremendous support and a relationship with Japan on every issue, and based on the statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, regarding Japan, I believe they have really stepped up to the plate, unlike NATO,” Trump said.
He said he expected Japan to take action, given the US support for the country and the tens of thousands of soldiers it has deployed there.
“We don’t need a lot; we don’t need anything,” Trump said.
“We don’t need anything from Japan or anyone else. But I think it’s appropriate for people to take action.”
Takaichi told Trump that he was “bringing specific proposals to calm the global energy market” and said Iran should never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
She condemned Iran’s attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and said she believed only Trump could achieve peace.
He also said that the global economy was about to take a hit due to the turmoil in the Middle East.
Takaichi’s long-planned White House visit was aimed at polishing the decades-old security and economic partnership between the two countries.
Takaichi has tried to move Japan away from the pacifist constitution imposed by the United States after World War II, but has so far not offered to help clear the Strait of Hormuz due to the domestic unpopularity of the Iran war.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously said he expected Japan, which receives 95 percent of its crude oil supply from the Gulf, would want to ensure its supply is safe.
Bessent told Fox Business Network that Japan’s navy has some of the best minesweeper and mine detection capabilities.
He said he believed Japan would release more of its massive oil reserves to feed its struggling oil market.
Takaichi told the Japanese parliament on Monday that Japan had not received a formal request from the United States on Iran but was checking the scope of possible action within constitutional limits.
Shortly before leaving for Washington, Takaichi shared that he would be discussing the “increasingly tense situation surrounding Iran” at X.
He also said he would “affirm with President Trump the unshakable bond between Japan and the United States and further enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas such as security and economy.”
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