President Donald Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a phone call on Friday (January 2, 2026) to visit the United States this year, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, in what would be the ultraconservative leader's first trip to the U.S. since taking office in October.
The White House has yet to confirm the call and the invitation. It comes as ties between Japan and China have been strained, ramping up tensions in the region. The U.S., a close ally of Japan, is seeking to strengthen its ties with Tokyo but also stabilise its relationship with Beijing ahead of a likely trip by Mr. Trump to China in April.
Tense waters: On China-Japan tensions
Beijing staged two-day military exercises in the waters off Taiwan this week. Ms. Takaichi, Japan's first female Prime Minister, infuriated China late last year when she said Chinese military action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response, breaking away from former Japanese leaders' strategic ambiguity on the highly sensitive matter.
In a statement on Friday (January 2, 2026), the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Ms. Takaichi and Mr. Trump agreed to coordinate for the visit to happen this spring. Kyodo News, Japan's news agency, suggested that Ms. Takaichi's trip could coincide with the annual cherry blossom festival in Washington.
