Trump endorses ‘strong, powerful’ Takaichi in uncommon intervention forward of Japan election | EUROtoday

Donald Trump has given his “complete and total endorsement” to Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi forward of the snap election on Sunday, a uncommon intervention by a sitting American president out of the country’s electoral politics.

In a submit on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump praised Takaichi as a “strong, powerful and wise leader” and mentioned he would welcome her to the White House on 19 March.

“As President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing,” Trump mentioned.

Public endorsements by American presidents in overseas elections are uncommon, however Trump has more and more weighed in overseas. He beforehand backed Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán, framing the interventions round ideological alignment and American strategic pursuits.

Takaichi acquired Trump’s endorsement two days earlier than the election she known as after just some months in workplace, looking for a stronger public mandate for her coalition.

Opinion polls present that her Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition accomplice Ishin are on the right track to win a snug majority of about 300 seats within the parliament’s 465-seat decrease home.

But unrelenting snowfall, which has already claimed 35 lives and prompted stay-at-home advisories, may depress turnout, significantly in rural areas that historically play a decisive function in Japanese elections.

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Forecasters say heavy snowfall will proceed in some northern and western areas over the weekend.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of avalanches and blizzards in Hokkaido within the north on Friday and snowfall via the weekend on the Pacific coast within the Kanto area and Kyushu.

Campaigning is already broadly affected with billboards buried underneath snow in a number of areas. This is Japan’s first mid-winter normal election in additional than three a long time.

One of the important thing challenges to Takaichi’s prospects is excessive meals costs. The Japanese allocate extra of their spending to meals than folks in different developed economies. Surveys present inflation is among the many most necessary points for voters.

Takaichi’s proposal to droop an 8 per cent gross sales tax on meals to assist households address rising costs has unsettled buyers in current weeks, contributing to a sell-off in authorities bonds and strain on the yen.

At the identical time she has pledged to speed up a defence build-up, arguing Japan should strengthen its deterrence amid regional safety dangers. The plans have invited criticism from Beijing, which has accused her of reviving militaristic pondering.

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Trump’s backing highlights the shut private relationship the 2 leaders have cultivated since Takaichi took workplace final October. One of her first engagements as prime minister was to host the American president in Tokyo, the place they emphasised the energy of their alliance and introduced new funding commitments. During that go to, Trump praised Takaichi for breaking the political glass ceiling by turning into Japan’s first feminine prime minister.

Trump’s endorsement of Takaichi got here a day after he held a prolonged cellphone name with Chinese chief Xi Jinping which he described as “extremely good”.

According to Chinese state media, Xi harassed that Taiwan was the “most important issue” in China’s relations with America and urged Washington to behave prudently on arms provides to the island.

The timing has drawn consideration in Tokyo, the place ties with China stay strained over Taiwan and regional safety.

A powerful electoral consequence may give Takaichi better political room to pursue her defence agenda, Japanese officers mentioned.

Trump additionally confirmed that Takaichi’s go to to Washington in March could be her first since turning into prime minister and would coincide with the annual cherry blossom season, a longstanding image of bilateral ties. The two leaders beforehand introduced they supposed to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026 with joint celebrations.

Takaichi has mentioned she is going to resign if her coalition loses its majority on Sunday.