Japan’s Takaichi sets March summit with Trump to strengthen economic and military ties

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Mari Yamaguchi at The Associated Press is the basis of this artificial intelligence-assisted article.

Japan’s newly reappointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is setting an ambitious agenda as she prepares for a March summit with President Trump, pursuing stronger U.S.-Japan economic and military ties while taking a hawkish stance toward China and advancing conservative domestic policies.

Some key facts:

• Takaichi was reappointed by Parliament and formed her second Cabinet following a landslide election win, making her Japan’s first female prime minister.

• She is scheduled to meet with Trump on March 19 to discuss economic cooperation, including rare earths development and a $550 billion investment package Japan pledged in October.

• Japan committed to a $36 billion first batch of investment projects in the U.S., including a natural gas plant in Ohio, a Gulf Coast crude oil facility, and a synthetic diamond manufacturing site.

• Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party holds a two-thirds supermajority in Japan’s lower house, giving it dominant legislative power.

• She has pledged to bolster Japan’s military, lift a ban on lethal weapons exports, and is considering the development of a nuclear-powered submarine.

• Takaichi proposed a two-year sales tax cut on food products to address rising prices, though experts warn it could worsen Japan’s national debt.

• She supports male-only imperial succession, opposes same-sex marriage, and backs tougher immigration policies.

• Takaichi’s hawkish comments on Taiwan have already triggered diplomatic and economic reprisals from Beijing.

READ MORE: Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants cooperation with U.S. in rare earths development