October 28, 2025
Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira at a press conference in the Diet building on October 27 expressed concern that Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae would conduct diplomacy contrary to the wishes of the general public at a summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for the following day.
Reportedly, on October 25, PM Takaichi over the phone conveyed to President Trump that “Japan is an extremely important country for the U.S. strategy in regard to China and the Indo-Pacific.” She also told him that “strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance is the top priority for her administration’s foreign and security policy.” Both sides agreed to further elevate the alliance to new heights.
Koike criticized this, saying, “It is as if she said Japan would follow the lead of the U.S. government even before actually meeting with President Trump.” Koike warned that at the summit meeting, PM Takaichi could not only promise to achieve the already stated goal of 2% of GDP for the military budget within this fiscal year, but also even go so far as to accept Trump’s demand for 3.5%.
Reportedly, on October 25, PM Takaichi over the phone conveyed to President Trump that “Japan is an extremely important country for the U.S. strategy in regard to China and the Indo-Pacific.” She also told him that “strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance is the top priority for her administration’s foreign and security policy.” Both sides agreed to further elevate the alliance to new heights.
Koike criticized this, saying, “It is as if she said Japan would follow the lead of the U.S. government even before actually meeting with President Trump.” Koike warned that at the summit meeting, PM Takaichi could not only promise to achieve the already stated goal of 2% of GDP for the military budget within this fiscal year, but also even go so far as to accept Trump’s demand for 3.5%.
