Tokyo Triumph: Takaichi and Trump Seal Strategic Deals

In Tokyo, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Japan's first female leader, Sanae Takaichi, for her military stance and trade agreements. Takaichi pledged increased defense spending and strategic investments, while Trump commended Japan's purchase of U.S. defense equipment. Both leaders signed agreements on critical minerals and rare earth supplies.

In a high-profile meeting in Tokyo, U.S. President Donald Trump bestowed accolades on Japan's first female leader, Sanae Takaichi, recognizing her commitment to bolster military defense and sign pivotal trade deals. Takaichi, a mentee of Trump's late ally, Shinzo Abe, vowed to accelerate defense spending in response to Trump's security demands.

Financial commitments underscored this diplomatic encounter. Tokyo earmarked $550 billion in U.S. strategic investments to ease import tariffs, while Japanese firms pledged $400 billion in sectors such as energy and AI. Additionally, a significant agreement on critical minerals aimed to reduce dependency on China's electronic component dominance.

Post-lunch, featuring U.S. and Japanese staples, Trump met families of North Korean abductees, expressing U.S. support. The day concluded with Trump and Takaichi visiting the U.S. naval base, cementing Japan's role as a crucial defense ally. These developments precede Trump's broader Asian diplomatic strategy, with pending talks in South Korea and a summit with China's Xi Jinping.

(With inputs from agencies.)