Trump Calls Takaichi a “Strong Leader,” Voices Support Ahead of Japan’s General Election

Financial News New York correspondent Lee Byung-chulU.S. President Donald Trump has openly endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative politician, ahead of Japan’s general election. While he has previously expressed support for specific candidates in some elections in Latin America and the Caribbean, analysts say it is unusual for him to intervene so bluntly in the election of Japan, a Group of Seven (G7) member and a key U.S. ally in East Asia.
On the 5th (local time), President Trump used his social media platform Truth Social to comment on Japan’s House of Representatives election scheduled for the 8th and declared his full support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Trump stated, "Prime Minister Takaichi has already proven that she is a strong, powerful and wise leader, and that she truly loves her country."
He added, "I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Takaichi to the White House on March 19," and said, "When I visited Japan, both I and our entire delegation were deeply impressed by her."
Regarding bilateral relations, President Trump stressed, "The United States and Japan have worked closely together not only on national security, but also on a major trade agreement that greatly benefits both countries." He went on to say, "Prime Minister Takaichi and the coalition she leads fully deserve recognition for what they have achieved so far."
He continued, "As president of the United States, I am honored to offer my complete and total endorsement of her and the values represented by her highly respected coalition," adding, "Prime Minister Takaichi will not let the people of Japan down."
Japan will hold its House of Representatives election on the 8th. Major Japanese media outlets predict that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partners are likely to secure a majority that exceeds the targets set by Prime Minister Takaichi.
Within Japan, Prime Minister Takaichi is often described as the "female Shinzo Abe" because of her clearly conservative stance. She has strongly advocated for the so-called "normalization" of Japan through constitutional revision, a policy pursued by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which would allow the country to become a state capable of waging war.



pride@fnnews.com Reporter Lee Byung-chul Reporter