Viewed as both a conservative and ultraconservative, the Japanese PM has proven to be a close ally of Trump’s since her election victory, speaking fondly of the US President on multiple occasions over the past few months.
During her recent visit, Takaichi also promised to gift the US 250 cherry trees from Japan to celebrate America’s impending 250th birthday.
America was first gifted cherry trees by Japan in 1912. Trump said of his relationship with Takaichi that she was ‘a great friend and partner’ and that the pair have become ‘very close’ since Takaichi’s landslide victory in a recent snap election.
Trump criticized for ‘disgusting’ Pearl Harbor joke
Despite the close relationship between Trump and Takaichi, the US President was strongly condemned for a joke he made referencing Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, in December 1941.
Japan’s attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii killed 2,335 US service members and 68 civilians. It is an attack attributed to bringing the United States into the Second World War.
Despite Prime Minister Takaichi not being born until 20 years after the attack, Trump made a joke about it regardless.
As he discussed the US’s current military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28, Trump exclaimed that he didn’t tell anyone about it because ‘we wanted surprise’.
When a Japanese reporter asked why the US launched their attacks without informing any allies first, Trump said: “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” before turning to Takaichi and asking her: “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”
Prior to Takaichi’s visit to the White House, Trump had been publicly venting frustration that key allies weren’t doing enough to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, in Iran, calling out Japan specifically through posts on Truth Social and pointing out the Japanese dependency on Middle Eastern fuel.
Takaichi arrived in Washington with what she described as ‘specific proposals to calm down the global energy market,’ per the Express.
The Japanese PM was, by all accounts, there to smooth things over, demonstrate solidarity, and reassure the American president that Japan was a reliable partner.
Takaich even opened the meeting with warm praise, saying that she believed ‘only you, Donald, can achieve peace across the world.’
Naturally, the responses to Trump’s joke were overwhelmingly negative on social media.
One user observed that Pearl Harbor happened four years before Trump was even born, making the implied grudge particularly strange. Another wrote: “If your dad or grandfather said this, you’d put him in a memory care unit.”
“The silence after the joke,” penned another. “Trump’s a disgusting, careless man. It’s all about humiliation and domination, especially with women. What a disgrace.”
Japanese Prime Minister visited White House amid increasing war tensions
Prime Minister Takaichi visited the US amid America’s continued military campaign in Iran, which has drawn sharp criticism from across the world, as well as among countless Americans.
With the war in Iran almost entering its second month, gas prices in America have skyrocketed, American service members have died, and tens of billions of dollars have been spent on firing missiles into Iran.
Trump has also further alienated many NATO allies with constant attacks on social media, with countries refusing to aid what many believe to be an illegal war in the Middle East.
Takaichi arrived in the US to discuss energy security, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Japan sees 87 percent of its fossil fuels travel through the strait, thus prompting the Japanese leader’s visit to America.
Takaichi stated firmly that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and condemned the attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf. She and Trump were, in most respects, broadly aligned.
Japanese PM makes bold comment about Barron Trump
Despite the awkwardness surrounding the Pearl Harbor joke, Takaichi was still full of effusive praise for Trump and also his son, Barron.
Barron Trump, having just celebrated his 20th birthday, has been credited with introducing his father to several high-profile, conservative, and ‘manosphere’ podcasters and influencers.
It is believed that Trump’s appearances on some of these podcasts during his 2024 election campaign helped secure him the White House for a second time.
As Takaichi and Trump exchanged niceties, the Japanese PM commented on how Barron Trump was a ‘good-looking gentleman’.
Per the Independent, Takaichi said, “I know he has grown up so much into a very tall, good-looking gentleman. As I see you, Donald, it is very clear where he got it. Of course, from his parents.
“There is no doubt about it,” she continued. “So Donald, if I may ask you, please convey my sincere happy birthday wishes to him.”
Takaichi’s comments elicited laughs from those gathered and a knowing nod and smile from Trump himself.
Barron has become notorious for his height, standing at 6’9 despite only just turning 20 years of age. His father has credited his wife, Melania’s late mother, Amalija Knavs, with his son’s rapid growth.
“That’s how he got so tall, he only ate her food,” Trump said about his son’s height.
Maybe just keep the conversation to pleasantries in the future and not, y’know, referencing one of the deadliest attacks in American history?