Copyright thejournal
We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories US President Donald Trump, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pose for photographs following a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo.Kiyoshi Ota/Pool Photo via AP Trump and new Japanese prime minister sign deal to 'secure' rare earths supply Sanae Takaichi said she would nominate Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, the White House said. 7.19am, 28 Oct 2025 Share options JAPAN’S NEW PREMIER Sanae Takaichi lavished US leader Donald Trump with praise and vows of a “golden age” of ties on his visit to Tokyo today, before inking a deal with Washington aimed at securing critical minerals. Takaichi – Japan’s first woman prime minister – pulled out all the stops for Trump in her opening test on the international stage, and even announced she would nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, the White House said. In return, Trump, who was meeting conservative Takaichi for the first time on an Asia tour that aims for a deal with China, said Washington was an ally of the “strongest level”. “It’s a great honour to be with you, especially so early in what will be, I think, one of the greatest prime ministers,” Trump told Takaichi at the Akasaka Palace state guest house. Takaichi praised Trump’s efforts towards a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia and his “unprecedented historic achievement” of the Gaza deal. “I would like to realise a new golden age of the Japan-US Alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous,” she said. The two sides also signed an agreement aimed at “achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains”, a statement said. Beijing this month announced sweeping restrictions on the rare earths industry, prompting Trump to threaten 100% tariffs on imports from China in retaliation. After meeting with Takaichi, Trump then swiftly headed to meet with families of Japanese abducted by North Korea decades ago, where he said “the US is with them all the way” as they asked for help to find their loved ones. After years of denial, North Korea admitted in 2002 that it had sent agents to kidnap 13 Japanese people who were used to train spies in Japanese language and customs. Japan says it also abducted others. Trade talks Trump with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reviews an honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo.Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Trump arrived in Tokyo yesterday for a visit sandwiched between a trip to Malaysia and a meeting in South Korea with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that could ease the bruising trade war. Negotiators from Beijing and Washington have both confirmed a “framework” has been agreed between the world’s two biggest economies. In Tokyo, Trump and Takaichi were expected to focus on security and trade between their allied countries. Advertisement Takashi Ito, a 58-year-old Tokyo resident, said that “what’s important is finding some kind of middle ground” on trade. “Simply pushing to raise tariffs has already created various issues.” On security, long-pacifist Japan is adopting a more muscular military stance as relations with China worsen. Takaichi, a China hawk who last week became the first woman to serve as Japan’s prime minister, said her government would achieve its target of spending two percent of gross domestic product on defence this year — two years ahead of schedule. The United States, which has around 60,000 military personnel in Japan, wants Tokyo to spend even more, potentially matching the five percent of GDP pledged by NATO members in June. Yee Kuang Heng, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy, told news agency AFP that in a bid to “deflect US pressure” on Japan to boost defence spending, Takaichi has “preemptively” brought forward the target. Apart from his meeting with Takaichi, Trump is due to deliver a speech today on the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, docked at the US naval base Yokosuka. He will also have dinner with business leaders, likely including the chairman of carmaker Toyota. ‘Phenomenal’ Most Japanese imports into the United States are subject to tariffs of 15%, less painful than the 25% first threatened. But the levies still contributed to a 24% slump in US-bound car exports in September in value terms year-on-year. The car industry accounts for around 8% of jobs in Japan. Under the terms of a July trade deal shared by the White House, Japan is also expected to invest $550 billion in the United States. Takaichi is at pains to establish a good relationship with Trump, who had a close personal relationship with assassinated former premier Shinzo Abe. Abe’s alleged killer Tetsuya Yamagami was due to go on trial in the western city of Nara — also Takaichi’s hometown – more than three years after the fatal shooting. The greatest prize for Trump – and for global markets – remains a China trade deal. Trump is due to meet Xi on Thursday in South Korea for their first face-to-face talks since the 79-year-old Republican’s return to office in January. View 5 comments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Trump and new Japanese prime minister sign deal to 'secure' rare earths supply”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Trump and new Japanese prime minister sign deal to 'secure' rare earths supply”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Donald Trump sanae takaichi News in 60 seconds European Commission Hate speech 'widespread' in Ireland and legislation should be prioritised, report says 14 mins ago Good Morning The 8 at 8: Tuesday 27 mins ago Rodgers resigns as Celtic boss with ex-Ireland manager O’Neill taking interim charge book extract Mattress Mick: How I found my trading feet at Dublin's Dandelion Market Hurricane Melissa to batter Jamaica as the island’s strongest storm on record Gaza Medevac Ireland completes complex medical evacuation of sick children from Gaza to Ireland InvestigatesHistoric psychiatric institutions ‘They have been sidelined’ - historic trauma at Ireland's mental institutions Niamh Cavanagh Michael D Higgins President Higgins to remain in hospital for treatment of infection A man has been arrested after he barricaded himself inside an empty creche in County Meath North Strand Road Man charged with assault and public order offences after Connolly canvasser incident New public toilets in North Dublin park vandalised after one week more from us Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online
