The United States and Japan are preparing for a leaders’ summit in Washington on March 19, with President Donald Trump confirming plans to host Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House, Jiji Press writes.

The meeting would come just weeks after Japan holds a general election, a contest that has taken on added international significance amid heightened trade and security tensions in the region ond one in which Takaichi was backed by the US leader. Trump’s announcement underlined the political weight Washington is attaching to the outcome.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump went beyond merely confirming the date, offering explicit backing for Takaichi and the ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party. Such an intervention is rare in Japanese politics, where US presidents have traditionally avoided endorsing particular parties or candidates during national elections.

Trump framed Takaichi as a key partner in managing bilateral relations, pointing to her role in steering cooperation during recent tariff negotiations. The two governments have been engaged in delicate talks over trade, with Tokyo seeking to limit the impact of US import duties while maintaining the broader alliance.

The US president also stressed the importance of the February 8 election for Japan’s political future, portraying Takaichi as a decisive leader capable of delivering stability at home and reliability abroad. The tone of his remarks suggested that Washington sees continuity in Tokyo as critical to its strategic interests in Asia.

Japanese officials moved quickly to acknowledge the announcement. In Tokyo, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato said preparations were under way for Takaichi’s visit to the United States in line with the March 19 schedule outlined by Trump, signalling that both sides are keen to lock in the meeting.