Japan-U.S. Summit: A Starting Point for Stabilizing the Middle East / Fire Up Global Opinion on Achieving a Ceasefire

Editorial

16:39 JST, March 21, 2026

Amid differences in their positions and risks in which a single misstep could potentially cause a rift in Japan-U.S. relations, it is significant that the leaders of the two countries confirmed their commitment to working together, at least at their summit, for bringing stability to the conflict with Iran.

However, this summit was just a starting point. Diplomatic actions going forward will be key. Japan must keep telling the United States how crucial it is for the entire international community to achieve a ceasefire in the Middle East. Japan should also work harder to fire up international opinion.

Watched by the world

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump for 1½ hours in Washington and also attended a banquet. They discussed international affairs and the alliance between their countries.

Crude oil prices have skyrocketed due to Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has asked allies and other countries to dispatch vessels to ensure safe navigation. However, he has grown increasingly frustrated over the lack of positive responses.

Consequently, the world was focused on the summit, watching to see how Trump would behave toward Japan, a U.S. ally.

During the summit, Takaichi called Trump by his first name, saying: “It is only you, Donald, who can achieve peace and prosperity across the world. To [help you] do so, I am ready to reach out to many of our partners in the international community.”

By showing her stance of aligning with Trump, Takaichi was probably hoping to encourage him to end the fighting in the Middle East.

Trump said Japan is “really stepping up to the plate … unlike NATO,” showing his frustration with members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization who are unwilling to dispatch ships.

During his talks with Takaichi, Trump reportedly asked Japan to contribute to safe navigation.

Following the summit, Takaichi told reporters that she had “delicate exchanges” with Trump regarding his request to dispatch vessels. The prime minister added that she explained to Trump what Japan can and cannot do under its own laws.

Many civilian ships have been damaged in the Strait of Hormuz. Reports suggest that Iran has laid mines there. Given that the area is effectively a combat zone, it is difficult for Japan to dispatch Self-Defense Forces vessels there to escort civilian ships or conduct other operations.

Japan must work with relevant countries toward the adoption of a ceasefire resolution at the U.N. Security Council or the U.N. General Assembly.

The latest summit took place when Japan and the United States were more at odds than ever before in their views.

It is highly likely that the attacks that the United States and Israel are carrying out on Iran violate international law. For Japan, which has always valued both its alliance with the United States and the rule of law, it is difficult to overlook the stance Washington is adopting now.

Even so, if Japan were to undermine its alliance with the United States, it might no longer be able to ensure its own security. It is important for Tokyo to take a straight look at international affairs and cooperate with Washington to the extent possible, while at the same time making every diplomatic effort to restore peace.

During their summit, Takaichi and Trump also discussed how to deal with China, which is intensifying its pressure in the military and economic spheres. The leaders confirmed they would expand the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative to the realm of economic security and strengthen the framework for cooperation among Japan, the United States, Australia and India.

Work together on constraining China

Regarding the Taiwan Strait issue, Takaichi and Trump also agreed to oppose to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. This may deter China, which has been stepping up its pressure on Japan following the prime minister’s remark in the Diet concerning a Taiwan contingency.

Trump has hinted at a conciliatory stance toward China, such as by suggesting a “Group of Two” system in which the United States and China would have their own spheres of influence.

However, if China’s domineering behavior is left unchecked, Asia will only become more unstable. Japan and the United States should communicate closely and work together to face up to China.

Another notable feature of the summit was the progress that the two leaders made in economic cooperation.

Japan and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop rare earths that have been discovered on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island. China wields its rare earths as an economic weapon. Efforts by Japan and the United States to secure critical minerals will help reduce pressure from China.

More cooperation on economy

Moreover, Takaichi and Trump agreed that Japan will invest in the construction of next-generation nuclear reactors and other facilities in the United States. These projects comprise the second round of deals under the $550 billion (about ¥87 trillion) in investments agreed upon by the two countries during talks on U.S. tariffs.

Japan pledged to make the investments in the United States in exchange for reductions in reciprocal tariffs and the tariff on automobiles. However, as the U.S. top court struck down Trump’s tariff measures, his administration has begun exploring alternative levies.

If Japan is hit with fresh tariffs, the mutual trust between the countries would be damaged. The United States should refrain from imposing a new slew of high tariffs.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2026)