Hormuz Security to Take Center Stage at Takaichi-Trump Summit

Tokyo, March 17 (Jiji Press)–Security in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to take center stage at a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday amid Iran tensions. The focus is on what Trump will demand in ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil transportation waterway that Iran has largely blocked following U.S.-Israeli attacks, and how Takaichi will respond, sources familiar with the matter said. Takaichi will visit Washington for four days from Wednesday, her first U.S. visit since taking office in October last year. The two leaders are also expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in ensuring economic security in a bid to reduce dependence on China for supply chains. Takaichi will depart Tokyo’s Haneda Airport for Washington on Wednesday. On Thursday, she will hold a summit with Trump and attend a working lunch at the White House. She will also attend a dinner party to be hosted by the president. It is rare for Trump to greet a foreign leader at both lunch and dinner. On Friday, Takaichi will lay flowers at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington before returning to Japan. It will be the second in-person meeting for the two leaders, following their summit in Tokyo in October. Takaichi aims to demonstrate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance to the world in a warning to China, which has been ratcheting up military and economic pressure on Japan after her remarks on a potential Taiwan contingency last year. Takaichi also aims to maintain U.S. involvement in Asia by highlighting that a good Japan-U.S. relationship will benefit the United States’ national interest. The prime minister plans to reiterate Japan’s policy of strengthening its defense capabilities. The Takaichi administration is also preparing to announce a second round of investment and loan projects based on a trade agreement reached between Japan and the United States last year. The two leaders are also expected to discuss cooperation on economic security, such as rare earths, which were affected by China’s ban on exports of military-civilian goods, and cutting-edge technology including artificial intelligence. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and trade minister Ryosei Akazawa will accompany Takaichi to Washington. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]