President Donald Trump may push Japan’s prime minister for military help against Iran, placing Tokyo in a difficult position as it balances alliance demands with domestic constraints.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump may use a White House meeting with Japan’s prime minister on Thursday to press for help in the war on Iran. This places Sanae Takaichi in an awkward position as Tokyo weighs how much support it can provide.
Trump has lashed out at allies for their lukewarm support for the US-Israeli military campaign. He is still pushing for more ships to clear mines and escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, largely closed by Iran.
Trump hosts Takaichi for a long-scheduled visit aimed at burnishing the decades-old security and economic partnership. Takaichi has sought to move Japan away from its pacifist constitution imposed after World War Two.
With the Iran war unpopular at home, she has so far not offered to assist in clearing the Strait. US allies such as Germany, Italy and Spain have also ruled out participating, angering Trump.
Takaichi told the Japanese parliament that Japan had received no official US request. She said Tokyo was checking the scope of possible action within constitutional limits.
“This has suddenly become a very fraught visit for Takaichi,” said Chris Johnstone, a former White House official now at the Asia Group consultancy. “She was hoping to be effectively the last voice in the room that could influence the president’s approach to his trip to China.”
Johnstone added, “Instead, she’s going to be basically the first ally in the room responding to Trump’s request for assistance in the Middle East.”
Japanese officials said Takaichi hoped to remind Trump of the dangers posed by a regionally assertive China ahead of his planned visit there. That trip has now been pushed back from an earlier plan for Trump to visit China in two weeks.
On Wednesday US intelligence agencies said remarks Takaichi made last year in support of Taiwan marked a “significant shift” for a Japanese leader. Takaichi has maintained her stance was consistent with Japan’s long-standing policy.
In her meeting, Takaichi may have to find a way of placating Trump over his demand for ships while avoiding domestic legal pitfalls. Japan also expects Trump to ask Tokyo to produce or co-develop missiles to help replace depleted US stocks.
Tokyo is still considering how to respond to any such request, according to three Japanese government sources. Unlike Washington, Tokyo has diplomatic relations with Tehran, creating a potential avenue for diplomacy.
Past attempts by Japan to mediate with Tehran in 2019 were unsuccessful. Takaichi will also tell Trump that Japan intends to join the “Golden Dome” missile defence initiative, two Japanese government sources said.
A White House official declined to say how Trump’s demands for help with the war on Iran could figure into the meeting. The official noted the two leaders would discuss implementation of a trade deal the two countries signed in 2025.
“They will also discuss energy, secure supply chains, regional security issues, and bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and defence,” the official said.
Takaichi is expected to announce a fresh wave of Japanese investment in Trump-approved projects in the US. This follows a USD 550 billion commitment made by the government to win relief from US tariffs imposed last year.
Japan could pledge some USD 60 billion as part of the second tranche of its investments spanning critical minerals and energy. It has already committed to three projects valued at USD 36 billion.
The Sun Malaysia
