TOKYO, Oct. 28 — President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday to meet with newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the nation’s first female leader, marking the latest stop on his three-nation tour across Asia.
The president’s visit follows a busy weekend of diplomacy, during which he signed peace and trade agreements with the leaders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Later this week, Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea for a high-stakes summit aimed at finalizing a trade accord and averting Trump’s proposed 100% tariff increase on Chinese imports.
Back in Washington, the Department of Agriculture has warned that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may not be distributed on November 1, raising concerns about food access nationwide as the ongoing government shutdown continues to impact federal services.
Prime Minister Takaichi, known for her strong conservative stance and firm position on China, took office earlier this month following the resignation of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. She was a close ally of the late Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in 2022. President Trump, who shared a close personal friendship with Abe, is expected to emphasize continuity and cooperation in U.S.–Japan relations during Tuesday’s meeting — one of Takaichi’s first major tests as prime minister.
Earlier Monday, President Trump met with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, officially kicking off his Asia tour, which underscores America’s deepening engagement with key allies across the Indo-Pacific.