Trump Backs Japan’s Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election

Fri Feb 06 2026 09:28:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Former US President Donald Trump endorses Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, praising her leadership as she heads into a snap election this Sunday.

In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi prior to her snap election. Trump described her as a strong and wise leader and expressed confidence in her ability to not disappoint the Japanese people. This endorsement marks a rare instance of a US president publicly supporting a foreign candidate, following similar endorsements in other countries. As Takaichi seeks to stabilize US-Japan relations, her administration has priorly worked on crucial trade agreements with the United States.

Trump Backs Japan’s Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election

Former US President Donald Trump has endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a snap election in her country scheduled for Sunday.

Takaichi has 'already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader... one that truly loves her country,' the US president wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday, adding: 'She will not let the people of Japan down!'

While it is rare for US presidents to publicly support candidates in foreign elections, Trump has done so before, endorsing Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban most recently.

Takaichi has sought to strengthen ties with Washington as Tokyo looks for stability in its relationship following Trump's tariffs on Japanese goods.

Trump had initially threatened a 25% tariff, but Japan eventually agreed to a deal investing $550 billion in the US, leading to a reduction of tariffs to 15%.

Takaichi took office in October after winning her party's leadership race and seeking parliament's support. She has called for this election to attain a public mandate.

Just a week after taking office, Tokyo welcomed Trump with grandeur, signifying an intention to foster close bilateral relations.

Trump and Takaichi celebrated their cooperation on key agreements, discussing a 'golden age' in US-Japan relations, with Trump praising her as a 'partner in a new golden era'.

Trump's endorsement and remarks came shortly after a phone call with China's leader Xi Jinping, where maintaining good relations was stressed. However, tensions persist over Taiwan, which Takaichi has publicly addressed amidst relations with China.