US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed the strength of the Japan-US alliance during a 35-minute meeting in New York, just days before Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington.
The leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, with China-related economic and security issues high on the agenda. Japan said the two sides agreed to coordinate closely on China ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
Takaichi said the meeting demonstrated the strength of the alliance at a time when the security environment in Asia is becoming increasingly difficult. The discussions included economic security cooperation involving artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals, areas both governments see as important to technological resilience.
The leaders also discussed implementing the existing US-Japan tariff agreement and strengthening the alliance’s deterrence and response capabilities. Japanese officials said there was no specific request from Trump for increased Japanese defence spending during the meeting.
China was a major focus because Xi is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Sept. 24. Takaichi has sought to ensure Japan’s concerns are considered as Washington and Beijing attempt to manage tensions over trade, technology, Taiwan and broader strategic competition.
The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea and discussed the country’s nuclear and missile programs. Takaichi also received Trump’s support for Japan’s efforts to resolve the long-running issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
Their meeting also touched on the International Criminal Court. Takaichi has publicly reaffirmed Japan’s support for the court and the importance of the rule of law, despite Trump’s criticism of the institution.
The talks come at a particularly important moment for Tokyo as Japan watches the outcome of the Trump-Xi summit. While the United States and Japan continue to emphasize their close alliance, Tokyo also faces the challenge of managing its relationship with China, its largest regional economic counterpart and a major strategic concern.
The latest meeting therefore reinforced the US-Japan partnership while putting the alliance in focus ahead of Trump’s high-stakes talks with Xi, where decisions on trade, technology and regional security could have consequences well beyond Washington and Beijing.
