Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, agreeing to work toward her visit to the United States in the spring to further strengthen their alliance. The discussion centered on regional issues amid strained relations with China.
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone for about 25 minutes late on Friday, January 2, 2026. The two leaders agreed to coordinate a meeting in the United States this spring, aiming to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance. Takaichi told reporters, "At the start of the new year, I consider it extremely significant that I was able to exchange words directly with President Trump and confirm the strong partnership of the Japan-U.S. alliance."
The conversation focused on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific and cooperation among like-minded countries, including South Korea. Takaichi did not elaborate on whether China was specifically discussed, describing the talk as mainly regional. Trump, who met Takaichi in Tokyo in October, invited her to visit, with Japanese officials proposing late March for the trip to Washington.
Takaichi conveyed congratulations on the United States' 250th anniversary of independence in 2026. They agreed that the year should open a "new chapter in the history of the Japan-U.S. alliance," expanding cooperation in areas like the economy and security. If scheduled smoothly, the visit could coincide with Washington's annual cherry blossom festival, commemorating the 1912 gift of trees from Japan symbolizing longstanding friendship.
During Takaichi's hosting of Trump in late October, they affirmed plans to jointly celebrate the anniversary, with Japan committing to donate 250 cherry trees. Their previous phone call on November 25 followed Trump's discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid escalating tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan. Takaichi had suggested that an attack on Taiwan could pose an existential threat to Japan, prompting a firm Chinese response.
Trump, who met Xi during his Asia trip in October, maintains good relations with both leaders and has expressed hope for a visit to Beijing in April, prioritizing economic talks. Unlike past U.S. presidents, he has avoided sensitive issues like Taiwan. In the prior call, Trump advised managing Japan-China relations, according to a Japanese government source. Takaichi avoided confirming whether China's recent large-scale military exercises around Taiwan were raised in the discussion.
