The invitation comes as the Trump administration seeks to reinforce its alliance with Tokyo while also trying to stabilize relations with Beijing ahead of a possible Trump trip to China in April — a diplomatic balancing act unfolding against a backdrop of Chinese military pressure on Taiwan and a proposed $11 billion U.S. arms package for the island.
President Donald Trump invited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to visit the United States this spring during a phone call Friday, Japan’s foreign ministry said, as Beijing’s recent military exercises near Taiwan have sharpened tensions across the Indo-Pacific region.
The White House had not confirmed the call as of Friday. Japan’s foreign ministry said the two leaders agreed to coordinate so the visit takes place in spring. Kyodo News, Japan’s national news agency, reported the trip could coincide with Washington’s annual cherry blossom festival.
Alliance commitment
In a statement Friday, Japan’s foreign ministry said Takaichi and Trump affirmed they would “carve out a new chapter in the history of the Japan-U.S. alliance” in a year when the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding, and that they would “further deepen the friendly relations” between the two nations, including economic and security cooperation.
The two leaders also agreed to promote cooperation among like-minded partners, including the Japan-U.S.-South Korea partnership, and to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the ministry said. The leaders “exchanged views mainly on the Indo-Pacific region,” the ministry said, without providing further detail or specifying whether they discussed Beijing’s recent military moves.
China pressure and Taiwan
China staged two-day military exercises in waters off Taiwan this week. The drills also followed the Trump administration’s announcement of an arms sales package to Taiwan valued at more than $11 billion, which Beijing sharply criticized. If approved by Congress, the package would represent the largest such arms aid to the island. The United States is obligated by domestic law to provide Taiwan with sufficient hardware to deter an attack from the mainland.
Beijing claims sovereignty over the self-governed island and vows to seize it — by force if necessary.
Trump said Monday he had not been informed of the Chinese exercises in advance but continued to tout his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The administration is seeking both to strengthen ties with Tokyo and to stabilize its relationship with Beijing ahead of a possible Trump visit to China in April.
Takaichi’s profile on Taiwan
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, took office in October 2025. Trump met her in Tokyo shortly afterward; the two exchanged warm words, and Trump took her with him when he addressed U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier in Japan.
Takaichi drew China’s sharp criticism late last year when she said Chinese military action against Taiwan could constitute grounds for a Japanese military response — a departure from the strategic ambiguity maintained by previous Japanese leaders on the highly sensitive matter. After Beijing reacted, Trump called Takaichi and told her they were “extremely good friends” and that she should call him any time, according to the Japanese leader.