Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Hugged President Trump at Japan‑US Summit as Critics Call It Flirtation
The souvenir she brought to the U.S.
“I believe only Donald can bring peace and prosperity to the world.”
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (65) lavishly flattered U.S. President Donald Trump (79). Within the Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi is feared as intimidating, and in Nagatacho, the contrast prompted reactions like:
“Like a completely different person.”
Upon arriving in the U.S. for a summit, Prime Minister Takaichi immediately approached Trump and hugged him with a smile. During the talks held in the early hours of March 20 Japan time, she reportedly switched to a serious expression while engaging in discussion.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Takaichi commented:
“Within the scope of Japanese law, there are things we can and cannot do, and I provided a detailed explanation regarding those matters.”
Meanwhile, to reduce Japan’s energy dependence on the Middle East, she brought U.S. gifts such as imports of Alaskan oil and natural gas, additional purchases of defense equipment, joint projects like rare earth ventures, and construction of small nuclear reactors.
At the dinner held during the summit, she also mentioned that the IndyCar Series, promoted by Trump, would take place in Washington, D.C. in August:
“Chevrolet and Japanese Honda engines will race across the beautiful National Mall. The title sponsor of IndyCar is the Japanese company NTT, making this truly a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship. I pray for the great success of this amazing race.”
Amid the spreading conflict across the Middle East, her excessive flattery sparked the term “Takaichi fawning” online. During the talks, Trump jokingly said:
“Who knows about surprise attacks better than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
Her handling of this comment without reacting also drew widespread disappointment.
Appealing to the world as a cooperative partner with Japan
“A prime minister known within the party as fearsome showing such a change. Needless to say, this is a strategy born of careful and repeated consideration. The defining feature of the current U.S. is that President Trump holds absolute authority. Put differently, if you can win over President Trump, even unreasonable demands—almost like bullying—can be mitigated. In preparation for the summit, extensive ‘Trump analysis’ was conducted across various channels,” said a Liberal Democratic Party official.
President Trump favors people who show him respect. Even in the recent attack on Iran, U.S. intelligence agencies had warned in advance about the likelihood of Iranian retaliation and the risk of collateral damage to neighboring countries, but Trump ignored these warnings and ultimately decided to intervene based on the advice of his close hardline aides toward Iran.
“The key is simply to flatter him and make him feel good. That’s all it takes. Information was also gathered from Representative Akazawa, who had negotiated tariffs with the U.S., and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s know-how—building a strong relationship with President Trump—was used as a reference. The fact that Takaichi’s interpreter was the same one used when Prime Minister Abe visited the U.S. is proof of that,” the LDP official added.
This Japan-U.S. summit is said to have been the most “tense” in history. Political commentator Harumi Arima told this outlet:
“Before going to the U.S., there was anxiety about what Trump might demand, but it was significant that he did not request the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces. The U.S. likely wanted to showcase its cooperative relationship with an ally like Japan to the world, so they avoided demands that could be rejected. While some opposition members criticized it as fawning, more voices in Nagatacho are praising it as skillful diplomacy.”
Regarding the ceasefire, reports indicate that the U.S., via Pakistan as mediator, presented Iran with a 15-point ceasefire plan. However, it is said that there are significant gaps between the two countries’ conditions.
“Japan is also expected to play a mediating role. While being a U.S. partner, Japan also maintains good relations with Iran. Above all, Japan is the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks. If Japan takes a central role in mediation, its international standing would rise dramatically. Those around Prime Minister Takaichi are seriously seeking a ‘resolution’ to the conflict,” said a political reporter for a national newspaper.
Within the LDP, voices are emerging calling for meetings with Iran’s leadership. The question remains: can Prime Minister Takaichi’s influence grow not only domestically but also on the global stage—?
PHOTO.： Takeshi Kinugawa