US President Donald Trump received a royal welcome in Japan on Monday, marking the latest leg of his five-day Asia tour aimed at sealing a trade truce with China.
Trump, making his longest overseas trip since returning to office, arrived in Tokyo after earlier stops in Malaysia, where he announced deals with four Southeast Asian nations. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.
Negotiators from the world’s two largest economies reached a framework on Sunday for a deal to pause steeper American tariffs and Chinese export controls on rare earths, US officials said. The announcement sent Asian markets soaring to record highs.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for President Xi and I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One before landing in Tokyo.
Wearing a gold tie and blue suit, Trump shook hands with Japanese officials on arrival before being flown by helicopter for a scenic night tour of Tokyo. His motorcade later entered the Imperial Palace grounds, where he met Emperor Naruhito.
Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who became the country’s first female premier last week, is expected to announce fresh investment and trade commitments to deepen ties with Washington.
Takaichi, described as a close ally of Trump’s late friend and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told Trump during a phone call on Saturday that strengthening the US-Japan alliance was her “top priority.”
Trump said he was looking forward to meeting Takaichi, adding: “I think she’s going to be great.”
According to sources, Japan has pledged a $550 billion investment package in exchange for relief from US import tariffs. Takaichi is also expected to announce purchases of American pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas, alongside a new shipbuilding agreement.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Japanese counterpart Ryosei Akazawa, who brokered the tariff deal agreed in July, are due to hold a working lunch on Monday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are accompanying Trump and will meet their Japanese counterparts during the visit.
The key diplomatic engagement will take place on Tuesday at Akasaka Palace, where Trump will be greeted by a military honour guard before formal talks with Takaichi.
Takaichi is also expected to reaffirm Japan’s readiness to expand its defence capabilities after telling lawmakers on Friday that her government plans to accelerate the country’s largest military build-up since World War Two.
Japan currently hosts the largest concentration of US military forces abroad. Trump has previously urged Tokyo to spend more on its defence amid China’s growing regional influence.
While Takaichi aims to raise defence spending to 2 percent of GDP, political analysts say she may struggle to commit to further increases as her governing coalition lacks a parliamentary majority.
Trump is scheduled to leave Japan on Wednesday for Gyeongju, South Korea, where he will hold talks with President Lee Jae Myung before meeting Xi Jinping later in the week.
Thursday’s meeting with Xi comes after months of heightened trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, involving tariffs and restrictions on key technologies and critical minerals.
Both sides have tempered expectations for a breakthrough, with discussions focused on managing disagreements and seeking limited progress ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China early next year.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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