Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Donald Trump held a roughly 20‑minute call on Jan. 2 and agreed to begin concrete arrangements for the prime minister’s first U.S. visit this spring.
- The leaders affirmed close coordination on the Indo‑Pacific, reiterated support for a free and open region, and signaled deeper cooperation with allied and partner nations including South Korea.
- Japan is seeking the visit ahead of Trump’s planned April trip to China, as reporting indicates Beijing aims to present a U.S.–China “G2” dynamic and to press Washington on security issues tied to Taiwan.
- China has maintained a hard line toward Tokyo, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi denouncing Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks and signaling no return to high‑level talks unless they are retracted.
- Separate U.S. diplomatic tracks show little movement: the CIA reportedly judged false Russia’s claim of a Ukrainian strike on Putin’s residence, Gaza “phase two” remains stalled over Hamas disarmament and Israeli warnings, and Ukraine talks lack a clear path forward with Donetsk the key sticking point.