Donald Trump and Sanae Takaichi met in Tokyo; they talk about a “new golden age” in the alliance between the 2 countries
The newly elected Japanese Prime Minister (Liberal Democratic Party, right), promised a “new golden age” in his country’s relations with the United States, when meeting with the president (Republican Party) in Tokyo, this Tuesday (28.Oct.2025).
Trump, who is in Japan on the second leg of a 7-day trip to Asia, and Takaichi signed an agreement that establishes a framework to ensure the mining and processing of rare earths and other essential minerals. This comes after China’s recent decision to tighten export controls on these materials, which are crucial for a wide range of products. Here is the document (PDF – 65 kB).
The United States and Japan plan to cooperate through the use of coordinated economic policies and investments to accelerate the development of diverse, liquid and fair markets for critical minerals and rare earths, the White House said in an official statement.
The objective of the agreement is “help both countries achieve resilience and security in critical minerals and rare earths supply chains”the statement added. Here is the agreement (PDF – 420 kB).
Takaichi also described the security relationship between the 2 countries as the “largest alliance in the world”stating that Japan was “ready to contribute to world peace and stability”.
According to the British newspaper, before the meeting, Trump and Takaichi watched a live TV broadcast of an excerpt from a World Series baseball game, featuring the Japanese star.
According to the White House, during the closed-door conversation, Takaichi said he would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize – an honor that Trump has sought since his return to the US presidency. , although some experts minimize its role.
Takaichi, who last Tuesday (Oct 21) became the , congratulated Trump for his role in obtaining a ceasefire in Gaza and between Thailand and Cambodia, countries involved in a territorial dispute.
In statements to journalists, the 2 leaders made several references to the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, with whom Trump established a close relationship during his first term. Takaichi, who shares Abe’s stance against China’s growing military power in the region, thanked Trump for his “lasting friendship” with Abe, which was .
Trump described Abe as a “great friend”adding that there had already been “very well spoken” of Takaichi long before she became Prime Minister. The Japanese prime minister also gave Trump a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama and a club that belonged to Shinzo Abe. The 2 leaders also signed a MAGA (Make America Great Again) version cap from Japan, with the words “Japan is back” (“Japan is back”).
PM Takaichi gifts President a golf bag signed by Hideki Matsuyama and Prime Minister Abe’s putter ❤️⛳️
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47)
JAPAN IS BACK! 🇺🇸🇯🇵
— The White House (@WhiteHouse)
MEETING WITH XI JINPING
On Wednesday (Oct 29), Trump heads to South Korea, where he is expected to meet the president (Democratic Party of Korea, center) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Chinese Communist Party, left), on Thursday (Oct 30).
The climate between the two largest global powers has heated up with tariffs in recent weeks and interruption in trade in minerals and technologies. Speaking to journalists, before landing in Tokyo, the republican stated that he has “much respect for President Xi” and said he thought so.
