TOKYO -- U.S. President Donald Trump is on a whirlwind trip to Asia, reconnecting with partners shaken by his global tariff policies and maneuvering in his trade war with China.
After a stop in Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, Trump arrived in Japan on Monday. On Tuesday, he spent the day with new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with defense and economic security featuring heavily in their talks. Trump departed for South Korea on Wednesday morning, where he is likely to sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of the APEC forum.
Nikkei Asia followed Trump's busy stay in Japan.
Further reading:
Japan PM Takaichi and US President Trump tout 'new golden age' for alliance
Trump hails 'cherished' Japan alliance as pillar of Pacific peace
SoftBank, Toshiba, Hitachi among firms tipped to make $400bn in U.S. deals
US Treasury seeks 'sound monetary policy' from Japan amid weak yen
Japan's $550bn package targets US infrastructure, commerce chief says
Japan's Takaichi awaits Trump with economic security in spotlight
Will Takaichi's Japan engage with Quad, Squad or new 'Asian Quad'?
To be Japan's 'Iron Lady,' Takaichi should call Trump's bluff with Lee
Here's how Trump's visit unfolded (Tokyo time):
Wednesday, October 29
9:50 a.m. And he's off. Air Force One rises into a cloudy morning sky, taking Trump to more meetings in APEC host South Korea, including an expected face-to-face encounter with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This concludes our blog coverage of his visit to Japan.
9:42 a.m. Trump's at the airport. After some final chats with officials, he makes his way up the steps to Air Force One, turns and waves, then heads inside.
9:00 a.m. Footage shows Air Force One on the tarmac, waiting to whisk Trump to South Korea. He's due to leave a little later this morning.
Tuesday, October 28
9:30 p.m. On the menu for Trump's dinner at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence: black tiger shrimp, fresh crab and shrimp salad, and Japanese wagyu beef.
9:00 p.m. Earlier, Trump met with Akie Abe, widow of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. She said in an X post in Japanese that the president "still holds my husband in high regard and offered me warm words as well." She also thanked Trump "for taking the time despite your busy schedule."
During this visit, Shinzo Abe's has come up repeatedly from both Trump and Takaichi. Coincidentally, the man indicted for shooting Abe dead in 2022 admitted guilt as his trial opened on Tuesday.
8:00 p.m. Trump spends the evening with Japanese and American business leaders, from SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son and Hitachi CEO Toshiaki Tokunaga to Apple chief Tim Cook. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and other officials are also on hand. Numerous deals of various types and varying degrees of specificity have been signed, such as one between the Commerce Department and Hitachi, which seeks to "advance energy security, resilience and technological leadership."
6:00 p.m. Among the documents signed by the U.S. and Japan during Trump's visit is a memorandum of cooperation on technology. A document released by the White House resolves to "strengthen collaboration towards joint opportunities of mutual interest in strategic science and technology disciplines." It lays out priority areas such as AI, advanced mobile networks, biotechnology, fusion energy and space exploration.
As his full day of events with Takaichi winds down, Trump is due to attend a dinner with business leaders.
4:47 p.m. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told new Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama that "sound monetary policy formulation" is crucial for controlling inflation and preventing exchange rate volatility, according to a newly released readout of their meeting on Monday. Bessent said conditions today are different than they were during the era of Abenomics, amid Washington's concerns about the yen's weakness against the dollar.
4:24 p.m. Military personnel, who have been on their feet for quite a while, raise their phones to capture the moment as Trump enters the hangar to speak to them. He's wearing a white hat with a blue "USA" on the front. Flanked by fighter jets and against a large backdrop that reads "Peace through strength," Trump tells the audience that they are "winners."
"I'm thrilled to be here among thousands of American patriots," Trump says. Touting his administration's performance in its first 10 months, he says, "Now we're the most respected country in the world."
He vows not to be "politically correct" and to "defend our country any way we have to." He also gives a shout-out to America's "incredible Japanese partners" and Takaichi, who joins him at the podium. He says the two of them have become good friends. As he has several times, he praises her for becoming the country's first female prime minister.
"Thank you Mr. President, and thank you all," Takaichi says in English, before switching to Japanese. She calls the USS George Washington a symbol of protecting peace.
"Now, as the two commanders in chief of Japan and the United States stand together once again, I have renewed my determination to carry forward that resolve and to make the Indo-Pacific free and open, so that it will serve as the foundation of peace and prosperity for the entire region," she says.
After her speech, Trump applauds Takaichi while mentioning that she can be a "tough" negotiator.
3:50 p.m. Trump and Takaichi arrive at Yokosuka by helicopter, touching down before a crowd of waiting photographers on the deck of the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, where fighter jets including state-of-the-art F-35s are parked. The president salutes U.S. military personnel as the beaming Japanese prime minister walks alongside him.
3:15 p.m. Japan's new Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is in Yokosuka, awaiting the arrival of Trump and Takaichi. Television footage showed the two leaders en route on Marine One, the president's helicopter.
2:45 p.m. Trump and Takaichi's working lunch featured American beef and rice, "deliciously made with Japanese ingredients," according to a White House readout. A menu photo shared by U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass shows ingredients from Takaichi's home prefecture of Nara, with vanilla ice cream -- a known Trump favorite.
The rice is particularly symbolic, as it has been a key issue in bilateral trade talks this year.
Over the meal, Takaichi showed Trump a map of major Japanese investments in the U.S. Other topics of discussion included ending the Russia-Ukraine war, the White House says.
"The president signed the lunch menus for the prime minister and the entire Japanese delegation, much to their delight!" the statement says.
2:25 p.m. Aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, American military personnel have gathered in anticipation of Trump's arrival. The president is due to fly to the vessel, at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, by helicopter with Takaichi.
1:50 p.m. Sakie Yokota, 89, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13, expressed thanks to Trump after meeting him with other families involved in similar cases.
Her remarks: "We gathered today here with a heartfelt prayer that Mr. Trump would speak so well that Kim Jong Un himself would be convinced and respond with a sense of acceptance. I truly believe something positive will happen."
1:20 p.m. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has arrived in Japan, according to the Pentagon. The defense chief, or secretary of war as the administration now calls his role, is due to meet newly appointed Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Wednesday.
12:30 p.m. Earlier this morning, Takaichi said she and Trump had "really enjoyed" watching the start of the World Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays. Despite their packed schedule, they might be tempted to sneak another peek: The game was knotted at 5 heading into the ninth inning, after Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani tied it up with his second home run of the night.
12:10 p.m. Trump has met with families of Japanese victims abducted by North Korea, alongside Takaichi. The president assured them that he "has not forgotten" the issue and promised to do what he can to solve it. This would appear to be a win for Takaichi, as there had been word that Trump would not meet the families, having Secretary of State Marco Rubio do so in his stead.
The Japanese government officially lists 17 citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Although some returned, others remain missing.
Trump has expressed a desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, potentially when he visits South Korea later this week. The two met three times during Trump's first presidency.
12:00 p.m. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says Takaichi will nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. This adds a major endorsement to the list of countries that have backed the U.S. president for the honor, including Pakistan and Cambodia. This year's prize, announced earlier this month, went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
11:25 a.m. On X, the White House posts a photo from the summit showing signed hats emblazoned with the words "Japan is back."
Margo Martin, a special assistant to the president and communications adviser, also posts a video of Takaichi presenting Trump with gifts. She says the president received a golf bag signed by Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama as well as former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's putter. Trump and Abe had famously bonded on the links during the president's first term.
11:10 a.m. Trump and Takaichi have signed a pact to cooperate on securing rare-earth minerals. A release from the White House says the partners "are intensifying their cooperative efforts to accelerate the secure supply of critical minerals and rare earths necessary to support domestic industries," by leveraging "policy tools" such as financial support mechanisms, trade measures and stockpiling.
Rare earths are used in a wide range of advanced technologies, from electric cars to weapons. The supply chain is dominated by China, and Beijing recently sent a shock through global industries by announcing broad new export controls on the minerals and related items.
The Japan-U.S. pact calls for mobilizing government and private sector support for investments in mining and processing, among other initiatives.
The two leaders also signed a document saying they have instructed "relevant ministers and secretaries to take further steps for a NEW GOLDEN AGE of the ever-growing U.S.-Japan Alliance."
10:20 a.m. Trump tells Takaichi that her late predecessor, Shinzo Abe, was a "great friend" and that he was shocked by his assassination in 2022. He says Abe "spoke so well" of Takaichi and congratulates her on becoming prime minister.
Turning to business, Trump refers to Takaichi's drive to increase Japan's defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product this fiscal year.
"I know that you are increasing your military capacity, very substantially, and we've received your orders for a very large amount of new military equipment, and you know that we make the best military equipment in the world -- the jets, the missiles, and everything else," he says. "Hopefully we don't have to use them very much, if at all, but we appreciate that order and we very much appreciate the trade."
He says Japan and the U.S. will have a "very fair deal."
Trump pledges to be there for Japan "any time you have any question, any doubt, anything you want, any favors you need, anything I can do to help."
He adds that he thinks Takaichi "will be one of the great prime ministers" and emphasizes that she is the first woman in the role. "That's a big deal," he says. "I want to congratulate you on that."
10:15 a.m. Upon sitting down with Trump, Takaichi thanks him for his "enduring friendship" with late former Prime Minister Abe.
She says Abe had told her about Trump's "dynamic diplomacy." She goes on to note Trump's role as a peacemaker between Thailand and Cambodia, and in the Middle East. "I highly value your unwavering commitment to world peace and stability. I myself was so impressed and inspired by you, Mr. President," she says.
"Now, both Japan and the United States have developed the greatest alliance in the world. And together with you, Japan is ready to contribute to the world's peace and stability," Takaichi says.
9:35 a.m. Trump meets Takaichi at the State Guest House in central Tokyo. They shake hands and chat for a moment, before heading for the customary photo in front of American and Japanese flags. A short ceremony follows to welcome the U.S. president.
9:00 a.m. The president has a busy schedule ahead on the second day of his visit to Japan. According to the provided details, he will be welcomed with an honor guard ceremony before a morning summit with Takaichi. They will also have a working lunch. In the afternoon, the two of them are expected to take a flight on the Marine One helicopter to the U.S. military base in Yokosuka, visiting the aircraft carrier George Washington. Later, Trump is due to attend a dinner with Japanese business leaders.
8:45 a.m. During Trump's meeting with the emperor last night, the two discussed the success of Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, currently playing in the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trump, referring to Ohtani's teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also praised Japanese pitchers, according to a Nikkei report.
Trump said he was "hoping for a very good meeting" with Takaichi, while the emperor expressed his hopes that the president's visit will "further strengthen" friendly ties between their countries.
3:00 a.m. At a meeting earlier with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, new Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama exchanged views on Japan's energy imports from Russia, she says.
It was their first face-to-face talks. The Trump administration has called on countries to stop buying Russian oil and gas, a vital revenue source for Moscow.
12:15 a.m. Trump's trip to Japan hasn't been without protest. Demonstrators took to the streets in Tokyo on Tuesday as the U.S. president's visit began.
Monday, October 27
8:10 p.m. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is also visiting Japan, tells Nikkei in an exclusive interview that a $550 billion investment framework agreed between Japan and the U.S. will focus on "power, pipelines ... things that are fundamental to national security and have virtually no risk."
8:00 p.m. Earlier this evening, Takaichi posted a welcome message for Trump, saying she looks forward to a "fruitful discussion" on strengthening the alliance. She notes the buildings illuminated in his honor.
7:30 p.m. Trump has left the Imperial Palace. He stayed for about 35 minutes and departed shortly after 7 p.m. Emperor Naruhito shook hands with the president once more and waved as his limo drove away.
7:00 p.m. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Japanese counterpart, the newly appointed Shinjiro Koizumi, will meet on Wednesday morning, according to the Japanese Ministry of Defense. Japan will be looking to emphasize its contribution to the bilateral defense alliance, which Trump once called "unfair" and "one-sided."
Takaichi last Friday said that her government will devote the equivalent of 2% of the nation's gross domestic product to defense in the current fiscal year through March, achieving the spending target two years ahead of schedule.
6:40 p.m. Trump meets Emperor Naruhito. The president gets out of his limo and the emperor is there to greet him. The two men share a long handshake and exchange pleasantries, before posing for a brief photo opportunity and heading inside.
6:30 p.m. Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree -- two of the city's best-known landmarks -- are lit up in the red, white and blue of the American flag.
6:25 p.m. A tidbit from Trump's flight: The 79-year-old president told reporters aboard Air Force One that he recently underwent an MRI exam, Reuters reports. "It was perfect," he said.
6:05 p.m. Trump arrives at the Imperial Palace in the heart of Tokyo, his long motorcade of black vehicles weaving over the paths of the grounds.
5:50 p.m. After landing at a helipad, Trump moves to his presidential limousine, known as "The Beast," which will take him to the Imperial Palace to meet the emperor.
Emperor Naruhito has reigned since 2019, after his father, Akihito, stepped down due to his advancing age -- the first abdication in more than 200 years. The emperor does not wield political power but is defined as the symbol of the nation and unity of the Japanese people in the constitution.
5:30 p.m. Outside the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, where Trump is due to meet Emperor Naruhito, a crowd of onlookers has gathered ahead of the president's arrival. Footage on public broadcaster NHK shows his Marines helicopter streaking across the city.
"Looking forward to seeing the Emperor!" Trump wrote on Truth Social just before landing in Japan.
5:11 p.m. Dressed in a navy suit and yellow tie, Trump emerges from his aircraft and makes his way down the stairs. He is greeted on the tarmac by Japanese and American officials, including the U.S. ambassador to Japan, George Glass. The president then heads immediately to his waiting helicopter.
5:02 p.m. Media footage shows Trump's blue-and-white plane, Air Force One, touching down at Tokyo's Haneda Airport as dusk rapidly descends on the Japanese capital.
3:45 p.m. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has deployed up to around 18,000 personnel to ensure security during Trump's visit. Measures have been tightened near the U.S. Embassy, and units responsible for handling explosives and countering drones are poised to respond swiftly to any urgent incidents.
3:30 p.m. The first Trump-Takaichi meeting is part of a U.S. effort to strengthen ties with allies and partners in the region, as Washington faces a protracted rivalry with Beijing despite the announcement of a framework for a trade deal on Sunday.
Given the importance of the U.S. to Japan as its security guarantor and second-largest trading partner, and considering Trump's top-down management style, many observers consider it essential for Takaichi to build a good rapport with the president.
In the meeting, defense is expected to top the agenda, amid heightened concerns over Russia's and China's territorial ambitions, coupled with unease over Trump's "America First" policy. Economic security is another important topic, as the U.S. struggles to address vulnerabilities such as its dependence on China for rare-earth minerals and on Taiwan for semiconductors.
3:25 p.m. Aboard Air Force One, Trump tells reporters that he is eager to meet Takaichi. "I'm looking forward to meeting with the new prime minister," he says, according to Reuters. "I hear phenomenal things."
He also says that he would "love" to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un again, after three meetings during his first presidency. He suggests he would be willing to extend his upcoming stay on the Korean Peninsula to make that happen. "It is our last stop so it's pretty easy to do. I would meet with him."
3:00 p.m. Trump is still en route to Japan from Malaysia. He is expected to arrive in Tokyo after 5 p.m.
Trump last visited Japan during his first presidency in June 2019, when he attended the Group of 20 summit in Osaka. He came to Japan three times during that term, when he developed a close relationship with late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
This time, Trump is expected to head straight to the Imperial Palace for a meeting with Emperor Naruhito. The president and first lady Melania had been state guests of the emperor in May 2019, shortly after his accession to the throne.
As he departed from Malaysia, Trump wrote on his Truth Social Network: "Just leaving Malaysia, a great and very vibrant Country. Signed major Trade and Rare Earth Deals, and yesterday, most importantly, signed the Peace Treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WAR! Millions of lives saved. Such an honor to have gotten this done. Now, off to Japan!!!"
Correction: An entry at 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, was deleted. It wrongly stated that Trump would skip a meeting with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
