US President Trump Meets New Japanese PM Takaichi in Tokyo to Boost Bilateral Ties

President Donald Trump arrived in Tokyo, Japan, continuing his Asia tour with a focus on strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. He held a courtesy call with Emperor Naruhito and was set to meet with Japan's newly sworn-in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who aims to leverage a personal friendship with Trump to ease trade tensions. Takaichi, the first woman to lead Japan and a protégé of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has already extended a symbolic gesture of goodwill by offering to purchase a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks for official use, an idea Trump endorsed. Their meeting is part of broader efforts to reset the U.S.-Japan trade relationship, with Japan previously agreeing to significant investments in the U.S., leading to tariff reductions. Tokyo marked Trump's visit by lighting prominent landmarks, including Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree, in red, white, and blue to honor the occasion. These diplomatic engagements precede Trump's scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, emphasizing the strategic importance of U.S. alliances in the region.