Trump, Japan PM Takaichi Discuss Strait of Hormuz Deployment

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae met at the White House on March 19 (local time) to discuss the deployment of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the first meeting between the two leaders in about five months, since President Trump's visit to Japan in late October last year. The summit was held as President Trump intensifies pressure on allies, asserting that countries utilizing the Strait of Hormuz should bear responsibility for its security. President Trump continued to press for troop deployment by posting on his social media, urging responsible action from nations using the strait.

Prior to the meeting, on the 18th, Prime Minister Takaichi stated in a session of the House of Councillors Budget Committee that Japan currently has no plans to deploy its Self-Defense Forces. Instead of dispatching troops, Japan proposed an investment plan worth approximately $73 billion (about 109 trillion yen), emphasizing an expansion of economic cooperation with the U.S.

This investment plan includes facilities for natural gas power generation and the construction of small modular reactors, doubling the scale of previous investment proposals. Japan also indicated potential cooperation in defense, expressing its consideration for participation in the U.S.'s 'Golden Dome Project,' which focuses on joint development of interceptor missiles and the establishment of a satellite network.