Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held her first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Tokyo on Tuesday, with the new Japanese leader pledging to realize “a new golden age” for the two countries’ alliance.
Security was tight in the capital, with some 18,000 police officers mobilized ahead of the meeting, a crucial test of Takaichi’s diplomatic chops as she seeks to elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights while staving off increasing pressure from the U.S. on defense spending.
Trump arrived at the ornate Akasaka Palace early Tuesday, where he was greeted by a beaming Takaichi. The two exchanged a few words in English, with Trump saying that the Japanese leader has “a very strong handshake” as they posed for photos.
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