On September 22, U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takai held a summit in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, reinforcing the US-Japan alliance and agreeing to closely cooperate on issues related to China. This meeting was aimed at aligning their perspectives ahead of the upcoming U.S.-China summit on September 24. The Japanese side also raised concerns regarding the U.S. sanctions on the Japanese head of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, the two leaders met for approximately 35 minutes. This was their first formal meeting since their talks in Washington in March. In his opening remarks, President Trump praised Prime Minister Takai, stating he has been closely watching her approval ratings and that she would “make her mark in history.” Takai emphasized that the meeting demonstrates the strength of the US-Japan alliance amid a serious security environment in Asia.
The leaders discussed economic security and other China-related issues, particularly in light of Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the U.S. After the meeting, Takai stated, “It is important for U.S.-China relations to contribute to the stability of the international community, including Japan.” The Nikkei reported that measures to counter China's export restrictions on critical materials, such as rare earths, were likely on the agenda. However, it remains unclear whether the Taiwan issue was discussed.
In the security domain, the two leaders agreed to enhance the deterrent capabilities of the US-Japan alliance and to jointly address North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The U.S. has been demanding that its allies spend 3.5% of their GDP on defense. However, the Japanese government stated that President Trump did not present specific numerical targets for defense spending during this meeting.
In economic discussions, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals, and to ensure the smooth implementation of tariff agreements. Takai highlighted that Japan has been the largest investor in the U.S. for seven consecutive years and has contributed to job creation in the country. While international financial conditions and exchange rate issues were discussed, specific details were not disclosed.
The two leaders also addressed the ICC issue, which has recently emerged as a concern between the U.S. and Japan. Takai was the first to bring up the topic. In a press conference, she stated, “Japan consistently supports the ICC to establish the rule of law in the international community,” adding that she had an open discussion with President Trump based on this stance. However, the specifics of their conversation, including whether Japan requested the lifting of sanctions, were not disclosed.
The conflict between the U.S. and the ICC intensified after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others related to the Gaza conflict in November 2024. In response, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on ICC officials, including Japanese ICC President Akane Tomoko in August. Prior to the meeting, President Trump called on ICC member states to withdraw in his speech at the UN General Assembly.
On the same day, Takai expressed support for the ICC in her UN speech but did not directly mention the U.S. sanctions. The Asahi Shimbun analyzed that her limited expression of “great regret” immediately after the sanctions announcement in August was a strategic decision to avoid conflict with the U.S.
The Japanese government highlighted the meeting's success in reaffirming the alliance ahead of the U.S.-China summit. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki stated, “We were able to demonstrate the strength of the US-Japan alliance to the world at the best possible time.”
The Nikkei noted that Takai's direct communication of Japan's concerns regarding China to President Trump was a significant achievement. However, there are still worries that the U.S. may make concessions to China on issues related to Taiwan and the South China Sea. Japan aims to align its policies with the U.S. while ensuring that its national interests are not compromised by U.S.-China dealings. Nonetheless, the Nikkei pointed out that as Japan-China relations deteriorate, Japan's dependence on the U.S. is likely to increase.
NHK reported that with the midterm elections approaching in November, President Trump needs to stabilize U.S.-China relations while also showcasing achievements to voters. It remains to be seen how much of Japan's concerns will be reflected in the upcoming U.S.-China summit. Although President Trump referred to Takai as a “friend” during the meeting, he has used the same term for President Xi as well.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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