TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated on the 18th that Japan will work closely with the United States to swiftly implement the U.S.-bound investment projects announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. In her post on X (formerly Twitter) that day, Takaichi described the investment package as being "in line with the objectives of enhancing mutual benefits between Japan and the United States, securing economic security, and promoting economic growth." Earlier, on the 17th (local time), President Trump posted on Truth Social and unveiled three Japanese investment projects in the United States. Trump wrote, "Japan is now moving forward with the first set of investments under its official, financial commitment to invest 550 billion dollars in the United States," adding, "Today, I am pleased to announce three tremendous projects in strategic areas: oil and gas in the great state of Texas, power generation in the state of Ohio, and critical minerals in the state of Georgia." In her post, Takaichi also said that the two countries had agreed on three projects: an industrial synthetic diamond manufacturing project used in processing parts and materials for automobiles, aircraft, and semiconductors, where both Japan and the United States have a high dependence on specific countries; an export infrastructure project for U.S. crude oil that takes into account rising global energy demand; and a gas-fired power generation project to supply electricity to data centers for artificial intelligence (AI) and other uses. She explained, "These projects are intended to strengthen the bonds between Japan and the United States by building supply chains in strategically important fields for economic security, such as critical minerals, energy, and AI and data centers," adding, "Japanese companies are also expected to see increased sales and business expansion through the supply of related facilities and equipment." Trump has reportedly expressed frustration that Japan's investments in the United States have been delayed. In response, Japan sent Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa to Washington, D.C., on the 12th to meet with United States Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and discuss the first set of investment projects. In a statement released the same day, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said that, as part of the U.S.-Japan trade agreement, Trump had "approved the first three projects" under Japan's investment pledge in the United States, noting that the total investment for these projects would reach 36 billion dollars, or about 52 trillion won. Regarding the Ohio project, he said it would be "the largest natural gas power generation facility in history," with a generation capacity of 9.2 gigawatts. He described the Texas project as the "construction of a deepwater crude oil export facility in the Gulf of Mexico," and explained that it is expected to generate 20 to 30 billion dollars a year in U.S. crude oil exports, secure export capacity for refineries, and solidify the United States' status as a leading global energy supplier. On the critical minerals facility in Georgia, he said it would "create synthetic industrial diamond manufacturing capacity," allowing the United States to domestically produce industrial diamonds that are essential for advanced industries and technologies. Lutnick emphasized, "Taken together, these projects are expected to create thousands of high-paying American jobs," adding, "Japan will provide the capital, and the infrastructure will be built in the United States. The structure is such that Japan earns the returns, while the United States gains strategic assets, expanded industrial capacity, and strengthened energy dominance." sjmary@fnnews.com Seo Hye-jin Reporter