SEOUL, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump gave his "total endorsement" of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a snap election in her country on Sunday and announced plans to meet with her at the White House on March 19.
Takaichi "deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday. "Therefore, as President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing."
"SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN!" he added.
Takaichi dissolved the lower house of parliament on Jan. 23, triggering a snap election set for Sunday. The 64-year-old hardline conservative leader and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP, appear headed for a strong showing, according to a poll released Monday by the Asahi Shimbun daily.
The survey suggested the LDP is on track to secure an outright majority in the 465-member chamber. Along with its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the coalition could capture around 300 seats, the poll indicated -- well above the razor-thin majority it currently holds.
