United States President Donald Trump met Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in US-Japan relations. The meeting resulted in key agreements on rare earth minerals, defense, and trade cooperation between the two longtime allies.
Held at the Akasaka Palace, the summit was the first official engagement between Trump and Japan’s first female prime minister. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and economic ties, with Takaichi pledging to boost Japan’s military capabilities. Trump praised her leadership, calling her “a great leader” and one of the “great prime ministers” Japan has seen.
A central part of the talks was the signing of a new strategic agreement on critical minerals and rare earths, aimed at reducing dependence on China, which currently dominates the global supply of these essential materials. According to a White House statement, the deal will help both nations strengthen the resilience and security of their mineral supply chains. The two sides also agreed to jointly identify projects that fill supply chain gaps for materials vital to batteries, fighter jets, and advanced technologies.
Reports indicate that Japan is preparing to unveil a $550 billion investment and trade expansion plan, which includes cooperation in shipbuilding and increased imports of US natural gas, soybeans, and pickup trucks. The initiative is designed to balance growing defense cooperation with economic growth between the two nations.
Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized Japan’s readiness to play a stronger role in regional defense, saying that her government will continue buying more defense equipment from the US to help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, Trump commended Takaichi’s strong stance on global security and praised her diplomatic approach. In return, the Japanese leader recognized Trump’s role in mediating ceasefires in Asia and the Middle East, announcing her intention to nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize for his peace efforts.
As a gesture of friendship, Takaichi presented Trump with a golf bag signed by Japanese champion Hideki Matsuyama, along with a gold-leaf golf ball and the late Shinzo Abe’s personal putter.
Following the talks, Trump and Takaichi were scheduled to visit the US naval base in Yokosuka, highlighting close military cooperation. The visit also underscored Japan’s ongoing efforts to expand its defense spending to 2% of GDP, a move supported by Washington to share the regional security burden amid growing tensions with China.
The Tokyo summit is seen as a turning point in the US-Japan alliance, combining economic, military, and technological goals. By strengthening cooperation on rare earth minerals and key industries, both nations aim to build stronger supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese resources, reinforcing their shared commitment to global stability and innovation.
