Politics Counterweight to China: Japan and US strengthen alliance
Japan and its protecting power, the USA, want to significantly expand their defense and economic cooperation in the face of China's striving for power. US President Donald Trump and Japan's new national conservative head of government Sanae Takaichi announced a "new golden age" of the "ever-growing Japanese-American alliance" in Tokyo.
28.10.2025, 05:28
28.10.2025, 12:11
SDA
Both also signed an agreement to secure the supply of rare earths. The background to this is the quasi-monopoly of their common rival China.
In the trade dispute with the USA, Beijing has imposed export controls on rare earths and magnets made from them. On Thursday, Trump wants to meet with China's President Xi Jinping in South Korea on the sidelines of the Apec economic summit to discuss the trade conflict. The aim of the agreement with Japan is to "ensure the resilience and security of supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths."
USA and Japan want to reduce dependence on China
Trump is using his trip through several Asian countries to conclude various agreements on rare earths. By expanding cooperation, the US government wants to reduce its dependence on China. Rare earths are also of crucial importance for the high-tech country of Japan. The metals are used in the manufacture of smartphones, wind turbines, electric cars and military equipment, for example.
Japan wants to "fundamentally" strengthen its defense
During a subsequent joint visit to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington at the US naval base in Yokosuka near Tokyo, Takaichi said that Japan was determined to "fundamentally" strengthen its defense capabilities. "Japan is ready to contribute even more proactively to peace and stability in the region." Trump used martial language to invoke the strength of the US Navy in his subsequent speech to US soldiers on board. "Nobody has our weapons, and very soon it will be stronger and more powerful than ever before."
No enemy will even dream of threatening America's navy, he said. Trump added that if they did, the American sailor stood ready to "smash, sink, destroy and obliterate" enemies. This was a terrible statement, Trump said, adding that he had probably disqualified himself for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, Takaichi intends to nominate him for it, as the White House announced after the meeting between the two.
250 cherry trees as a gift
Trump also received an unusual gift for his country: 250 cherry trees would be donated to the capital Washington, Takaichi announced with a view to the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence next year. Cherry trees are a popular photo motif in Washington - when they are in bloom, the city is bathed in a sea of pink and white. Celebrating the cherry blossom is a centuries-old tradition in Japan.
Protective power USA
At the start of their meeting in Tokyo, Trump praised the fact that Japan is "greatly" increasing its military capabilities under Takaichi's leadership. The USA had already received orders from Japan "for a very large amount of new military equipment", said Trump. Takaichi recently announced at the start of her term of office that she would increase the defense budget to two percent of gross domestic product by March. This would achieve the target two years earlier than previously planned.
The US government under Trump has demanded more financial commitment to defense spending from many allies. NATO has already responded to the pressure from Washington. Takaichi described the security alliance with Japan's protecting power, the USA, as a "cornerstone" of its foreign and security policy in view of China's growing striving for power and the threat posed by North Korea's missile and nuclear program.
