Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on her way to what she expects will be a very difficult meeting with US leader Donald Trump, days after his calls for allies to help secure the war-stricken Strait of Hormuz went largely unanswered.
Takaichi told parliament hours before her departure that she would do everything to maximise [Japan's] national interest.
The three-day visit to Washington was a chance to talk trade and deepen the US-Japan alliance ahead of Trump’s diplomatic trip to China - which has now been postponed because of the war.
However, it is the topic of the war that will likely overshadow the meeting, which is shaping up to be a test of Takaichi's friendship with Trump.
The trip was scheduled back in October, shortly after Takaichi took office, heralding a new golden age in bilateral ties.
As the trip was approaching, it was expected to be a success, with Takaichi fresh off a dominant election victory and a new round of investment projects in the US. Yet, the situation has shifted considerably since then.
Earlier this week, Trump posted a request on his Truth Social platform for assistance from other countries in securing the vital strait, pointing out that Japan and other Asian economies rely heavily on oil from the Middle East.
Despite a lukewarm reception, Trump later retracted his request, asserting that the US did NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE! This turn of events signals the significant hurdles Takaichi now faces.
Before departing, Takaichi acknowledged the complexities of the trip, aiming for substantial dialogue based on Japan's viewpoint. The top priority, she remarked, is the early de-escalation of the situation.
Unfolding events hint at a potentially rocky path ahead, with implications for Japan's national interests and regional alliances in a time of rising geopolitical tensions.
