Japan’s Takaichi to Meet Trump in Washington for Talks

By Kazuhiko Hori / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

17:22 JST, March 19, 2026

WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived at a U.S. base in the suburbs of Washington on Wednesday for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump the following day.

It is Takaichi’s first visit to the United States since she took office. She is scheduled to hold talks with Trump at the White House in the morning on Thursday. Her diplomatic capabilities are likely to be tested in the talks, which will focus on how Japan will contribute to safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for shipping oil that was effectively blocked by Iran after the country was attacked by the United States and Israel.

According to an announcement by the White House and other sources, the leaders’ first in-person meeting since Trump visited Japan in October will start at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in the Oval Office, with Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ryosei Akazawa also in attendance. A dinner reception will be held at the White House later in the day.

The question is whether Trump will ask for Japan’s active involvement in the Iran conflict, such as through dispatches of Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels to the area to ensure safe navigation in the strait.

Takaichi has been reluctant to dispatch the Self-Defense Forces to the area prior to a ceasefire and is expected to explain more feasible responses under Japanese law.

Takaichi has refrained from giving a clear opinion on whether U.S strikes on Iran violate international law, while being critical of Iran’s stance on nuclear development and attacks on neighboring Middle Eastern countries. She is likely to facing a difficult decision about whether to support Trump on Iran.