Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said arrangements are underway for a U.S. meeting with President Donald Trump in early 2026.
- Japan has sounded out a late-March visit, with the date dependent on U.S. scheduling and the Diet’s initial fiscal 2026 budget approval.
- Officials aim to align views before Trump’s expected April visit to China, following friction after Takaichi’s November remarks on a Taiwan contingency.
- Planned topics include economic security such as rare-earth supply chains, while U.S. officials could press for details tied to a $550 billion investment package linked to a tariff deal, according to reporting.
- Industry sources say China has urged travel agencies to cut Japan-bound tourists by 40 percent as ties have cooled, and the summit would be their first in person since October in Tokyo.