Trump endorses Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of 8 Feb election
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of Japan’s legislative election, praising her leadership and confirming her first White House visit since taking office in October.
- US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of Japan’s legislative election on 8 February 2026.
- Trump confirmed Takaichi will visit the White House on 19 March 2026, her first US trip since taking office.
- The endorsement and visit highlight close Japan–US ties amid regional tensions involving China and Taiwan.
UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday, 5 February 2026, that he endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of Sunday (8 Feb)’s legislative election.
The endorsement was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and marked a rare public intervention in a foreign electoral contest.
In his statement, Trump described Takaichi as a leader deserving “powerful recognition” for the performance of her administration and governing coalition. He added that, as president, it was his “honour” to offer a “complete and total endorsement”.
Trump praised Takaichi, who assumed office in October, as “a strong, powerful, and wise” leader. He said her coalition was “highly respected” and commended its approach to security and economic cooperation with the United States.
The president also announced that he would welcome Takaichi to the White House on 19 March 2026.
This will be her first visit to the United States since becoming prime minister, and the date was disclosed publicly for the first time.
Public endorsements of candidates in foreign elections were once considered taboo in US politics. However, Trump has repeatedly positioned himself as willing to break with established diplomatic conventions, particularly in his use of social media.
Takaichi’s planned trip follows months of preparatory discussions. In late December, she said she was exploring a visit to the United States for further talks with Trump. During a phone call on 2 January, the two leaders confirmed they would meet in the spring.
Her visit will coincide with Washington’s annual cherry blossom festival, a major cultural event symbolising long-standing ties between the two countries. The festival will begin on 20 March this year.
The event commemorates the 1912 gift of cherry trees from Tokyo to the US capital, widely seen as a gesture of friendship that laid a cultural foundation for modern Japan–US relations.
During Trump’s visit to Japan in late October, the two leaders discussed joint plans to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence in 2026. Takaichi confirmed Japan’s pledge to present 250 cherry trees to the United States as part of the celebrations.
At that meeting, they also reaffirmed the strength of the bilateral security alliance and the importance of their economic partnership. Trump has since highlighted what he described as a “very substantial” trade deal between the two countries.
Trump has frequently spoken favourably of Takaichi since her early days in office. He has described her as a protégé of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, with whom Trump shared a close personal and political relationship during his first term.
In his latest remarks, Trump wished Takaichi “good luck” in the House of Representatives election. He said defence cooperation and economic ties had made progress under her leadership.
Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, has pledged to build a “new golden era” in relations with the United States. She has repeatedly emphasised cooperation with Washington in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Her visit to Washington will take place shortly before Trump’s planned trip to China in April. Beijing has in recent months taken a hard-line stance in response to Takaichi’s comments about a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait.
Trump’s social media post about Japan came a day after he held a lengthy call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Trump described the US–China relationship as “by far the most important in the world”.
Xi, in turn, stressed that Taiwan is the “most important issue” in relations between the two countries, the ministry said. Taiwan remains a central point of contention in regional security discussions.
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-governed democratic island under its control. Japan has expressed concern that instability in the Taiwan Strait would have serious implications for regional security.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s endorsement of Takaichi underscores the strategic importance Washington places on its alliance with Tokyo. The upcoming White House meeting is expected to address security, trade and regional stability.
