US President Trump arrived in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (October 27), the second stop of his Asian tour, to meet with Japanese Emperor Naruhito. The following day, he will hold his first meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office just a week ago. The two sides are expected to expand cooperation on security issues and economic security cooperation, including energy, to deepen the Japan-US alliance.
According to the Imperial Palace, Trump met with Naruhito for approximately 30 minutes. Trump told Naruhito, "I hope to further strengthen the Japan-US relationship under the leadership of new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. I hope the meeting will be a complete success."
Before arriving in Japan, Trump told the media aboard Air Force One that the US and Japan could reach a joint agreement to promote the expansion of shipbuilding capacity. "We are going to declare a 'great friendship.'"
According to reports, the two countries are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding on shipbuilding investment after the summit. A working group will be established to develop specific plans. Discussions will include joint investment in shipyards by Japanese and US companies to enhance competitiveness. This will include standardized design and component specifications to ensure compatibility between ships built in both countries.
The Japan-US summit is expected to focus on the tariff agreement reached between the two countries, including the details of a $550 billion (approximately S$712.6 billion) investment package for the US, which will be divided into nine sectors, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, shipbuilding, and energy. Japan will also announce purchases of US soybeans and Ford vehicles.
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Since taking office, Takaichi has been preparing to respond to Trump's potential request for increased defense spending. She previously announced that the fiscal year 2027 target of increasing defense spending by 2% of GDP would be brought forward to this fiscal year, and that three security-related documents, including the National Security Strategy, would be revised ahead of schedule. These two changes are primarily intended to advance the allocation of 43 trillion yen for US military equipment.
The Takaichi government reportedly hopes to use this meeting to quickly strengthen the Japan-US alliance with the United States and consolidate the new administration's leadership.
In her policy speech on the 24th, Takaichi stated that she hopes (Trump's visit to Japan) will build a relationship of trust between the leaders of the two countries and elevate Japan-US relations to a higher level. On the eve of the meeting, Takaichi posted on social media, "President Trump, welcome to Japan. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how to further strengthen the great US-Japan alliance."
Analysts believe Takaichi is confident about the summit because Trump has a close relationship with the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and she is the successor to Abe's policies.
Japanese TV station FNN reported that Takaichi will give Trump a "surprise" by giving him the golf bag that Abe used when he played golf with Trump in 2017. In addition, the Japanese government will also customize gold-leaf golf balls from Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture as a gift.
