During a meeting on the 19th in Washington D.C., Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing the necessity to halt Iran's nuclear weapons development. Takaichi stated Japan has actively engaged in actions to prevent such developments, including criticizing attacks by Iran on neighboring countries and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This comes in the context of rising tensions following recent military actions by Iran in response to attacks attributed to the U.S. and Israel.

The conversation's focal point included whether Trump would request Japan to send its Self-Defense Forces to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Japanese government assessed that the circumstances do not meet the criteria for such a deployment under its domestic laws, indicating hesitation to comply with Trump's potential request. Throughout the meeting, Takaichi maneuvered to avoid discussing the possibility of dispatching forces while publicly supporting the U.S. stance against Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Notably, Takaichi referred to Trump simply as 'Donald,' aiming to foster a more personal rapport while urging him to exercise restraint regarding military action against Iran. Takaichi expressed his belief that only Trump could bring peace and prosperity to the world, engaging in what is described as 'flattering diplomacy.' Additionally, he subtly reinforced the importance of US-Japan alliance strength and the maintenance of America's security presence in the Indo-Pacific amid escalating security concerns in both the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, advocating for discussions around economic security and growth collaboration.