Politics News
Trump jokes about Pearl Harbor as Takaichi seeks to calm a row over the Strait of Hormuz
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, March 19, her first US visit since taking office in October. The Associated Press, in a report carried by News4Jax, said she came to shore up the alliance after Trump appeared to criticise Japan for not quickly joining his call to protect the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, Japan and five European countries had said they were ready to contribute to “appropriate efforts” to protect shipping.
Asked by a Japanese reporter why allies were not told before the strikes on Iran, Trump replied:
“Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” — Donald Trump, via AFP
He went on to ask why he had not been told about Pearl Harbor. AFP, in a report carried by the Philippines' Daily Tribune, said Takaichi's eyes widened and she sat back. It noted that Japan gets about 90% of its oil through the strait, and that Trump said Japan was “really stepping up to the plate,” adding after a pause, “unlike NATO.” The leaders announced $40 billion for nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama and $33 billion for gas power plants in Pennsylvania and Texas.
AP said Takaichi explained the limits of Japan's postwar constitution, which bans the use of force except in self-defence. Japan's Jiji Press, via Nippon.com, said she condemned Iran's actions and called for quick de-escalation.
How each outlet framed it
- Associated Press — the legal bar to Japan joining a naval mission, and fears that US troops moved to the Middle East weaken deterrence near Taiwan.
- AFP — the body language and the deals: a hug, a joke and $73 billion of projects.
- Jiji Press — a smooth summit: a cancelled lunch so talks could run longer, and a second tranche of investment.
Where the numbers differ: AP said the public Oval Office session lasted about 30 minutes; Jiji said the meeting ran about 90. Takaichi's praise was translated as “it is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace across the world” by AP and “Only Donald can bring peace and prosperity to the world” by Jiji.