U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of the country's general election and said he will welcome her to the White House on March 19.
While Trump is often an outlier, it is very rare for the leader of any country to back a specific political figure ahead of a national election in a foreign country. The general election will be held on Sunday.
Trump praised Takaichi in a social media post, saying that she has already proven to be a "strong, powerful and wise" leader.
"Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing and, 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," Trump wrote.
The date of Trump's upcoming in-person talks with Takaichi was announced for the first time. It will be her first visit to the United States since she became prime minister in October.
During his Asia tour in late October, Trump met with her in Tokyo, where they reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral security alliance and economic relationship.
Takaichi's trip to Washington will precede Trump's planned April visit to China, whose relations with Japan have soured over her remarks concerning Taiwan.
© KYODO
29 Comments
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Nifty
The LDP has a good chance in spite of this.
obladi
the kiss of death
sakurasuki
The question would be, what's the catch, there isn't such thing as free lunch.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Well the decider has spoken.
deanzaZZR
Looking forward to the Iron Lady telling Trump to stop meddling in the election. /s
virusrex
So, the leader of an imperialistic country that has done everything he can think of in order to impose american interests over their supposed allies (including Japan) says he supports one candidate.
If Japan had a healthy political system this would be disastrous for Takaichi.
Freddie
Is it not ironic that the site’s most vehement critics of Trump are often the same advocates of the political and military-industrial establishment who most passionately support Takaichi?
How do they reconcile their admiration for her when the man they claim to despise so profoundly is so closely aligned with her?
runner3
Like Obladi said, kiss of death.
Geeter Mckluskie
Care to make a wager?
Gary
Is it truly admirable to receive the endorsement of a polarizing figure?
One might reasonably question whether such support enhances credibility or instead raises concerns about judgment, values, and political alignment.
Blacklabel
yeah so this sudden “kiss of death” narrative means what exactly?
usually words mean something.
TheKimoiOjisan
Of course he does
Both right wing.
Aaron Wright
Why wouldn’t Trump support a party that just put $550 billion in his pocket?
“I got a signing bonus from Japan of $550 billion – that's our money. It's our money to invest, as we like.”
MarkX
The opposition parties should drive around for the next two days proclaiming this endorsement and see what happens!
Terry T
Japan has a very different view on that $550 billion pledge.
Officials have said the number is more of a cap than a minimum and that most of the money will come in the form of loans and loan guarantees made by institutions backed by the government. Equity, they contend, will be no more than 2% of the total.
Still, 2% of $550 billion is $11 billion.
Aly Rustom
Trump endorses Takaichi before election; announces her March 19 visit
Tells you all you need to know.
Fred Nerk
Yeah, he can't wait to stick his beak in where it doesn't concern him. He's never heard of tact let alone decorum
From maga culists, they mean nothing.
Geeter Mckluskie
Yep...tells me she and he are keen to strengthen their relationship which is prudent for both Japan and America.
shogun36
ugh, can we go back to when we didn't have to see either of these two mugs every single day of the week?
how much longer is this nightmare gonna last?
even CORONA had the decency to fade away.
DaDude
Gotta love people who cry about the U.S. government constantly but choose to live in a country that is waaaaaay more conservative and have waaaaaaay stricter immigration laws yet say NOTHING.
MiuraAnjin
Coalition?
What coalition?
Aly Rustom
Funny- you support Sanseito which is not keen on doing that.
Wasabi
Approval from a felon, criminal and much more..... I would feel dirty!
OssanAmerica
With or without Trump's unnecesssary endorsement, Takaichi is on sold ground.
stormcrow
It would be creepy to see Trump go up to a Japanese flag, drape himself in it and make love to it in front of a live Japanese audience like he did before with an American flag. Then see him go into his Village People dance.
Falco1
Ultra right wingers and extremists always support each other in the end.
bass4funk
That was just a far-out bizarre comment, why would our American even want to do that? I mean if Takaichi were to have the U.S. flag behind her and preach how Americans can't be overrun by foreigners....just weird...
Blacklabel
yeah as speculating nonsense it would be…considering he’s not Japanese.
Aly Rustom
Bingo