TOKYO — President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday evening, marking the second leg of his high-stakes Asia tour that aims to strengthen trade alliances, ease regional tensions, and project American influence across the Indo-Pacific. After departing Malaysia, where negotiators reported significant progress toward a U.S.-China trade deal, Trump was received with ceremonial warmth by Emperor Naruhito at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace.
The White House described the encounter as a “courtesy call,” but the optics carried deeper diplomatic weight. The emperor, known for his reserved demeanor, welcomed Trump with a smile and formal handshake. Cameras captured the U.S. president in a navy suit and gold tie, briefly adjusting his jacket before the two exchanged greetings and entered the palace together. For Trump, it was a familiar setting—he attended a state banquet hosted by the emperor during his 2019 visit. Emerging after half an hour, Trump called Naruhito “a great man,” describing the meeting as “very special.”
A New Chapter in U.S.-Japan Relations
Trump’s Tokyo visit comes at a pivotal moment in U.S.-Japan relations. On Tuesday, he will hold his first official meeting with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s newly elected leader and the first woman to hold the office. A protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi represents Japan’s conservative wing and has vowed to accelerate defense reforms while strengthening ties with Washington.
The two leaders are expected to discuss defense spending, tariffs, and regional stability. Under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japan pledged to boost its defense budget to 2% of GDP by 2027. Takaichi now wants to reach that target a year earlier. Trump, who has often criticized U.S. allies for “not paying their fair share,” is likely to press for faster implementation.
Trade could be another sticking point. While Tokyo has agreed to invest $550 billion in U.S. industries, many details remain vague. Trump’s decision to slash tariffs on Japanese goods from 25% to 15% has been hailed as progress, but officials on both sides acknowledge that the deal is still “a work in progress.” A senior Japanese diplomat described the upcoming meeting as “a test of chemistry between two strong personalities.”
Trade Breakthrough in Malaysia
Before arriving in Japan, Trump spent the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, where negotiators from Washington and Beijing made what both sides called “major progress” toward a trade agreement. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that “tariff escalation is effectively off the table,” describing the talks as “constructive and forward-looking.”
Among the key elements reportedly under discussion:
Fentanyl production controls, with China pledging to curb the export of precursor chemicals.
Soybean imports, which could bring relief to U.S. farmers after years of uncertainty.
Rare-earth mineral access, crucial for defense and technology sectors.
TikTok ownership restructuring, under which a U.S. investor group led by Oracle’s Larry Ellison would manage the app’s U.S. operations.
Markets responded positively, with stocks rising modestly on news of the potential breakthrough. Bessent hinted that “soybean farmers will be extremely happy,” signaling optimism in agricultural states like Iowa and Illinois. Still, the deal’s future now hinges on Trump’s expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week.
Geopolitical Undercurrents
Even as trade optimism builds, geopolitical tensions are simmering across the region. Over the weekend, China conducted “confrontation drills” near Taiwan, sending H-6K bombers and J-10 fighter jets in what Taipei called a “public-opinion operation aimed at intimidation.” The exercises came just days before Trump’s anticipated meeting with Xi.
Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has intensified sanctions on Russia’s energy giants, even as Moscow announced a successful test of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. When asked about Russia’s move, Trump dismissed it curtly, saying, “They know we have the greatest nuclear submarines in the world right off their shore.”
The president’s remarks underscored his characteristic mix of bravado and calculated ambiguity — a style that has defined his foreign policy since returning to office.
The North Korea Question
Trump has left open the possibility of extending his Asia trip to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, though no official plans have been announced. “I’d love to see him,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I got along great with Kim Jong Un — if he wants to meet, I’ll be in South Korea.”
The statement revived memories of their dramatic encounters during Trump’s first term, including the unprecedented 2019 meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, where Trump briefly stepped over the border into North Korea. While those summits ultimately failed to deliver a lasting denuclearization agreement, they symbolized Trump’s unconventional diplomacy — a blend of showmanship and unpredictability that continues to keep allies and adversaries guessing.
Controversy Back Home
As Trump navigates delicate diplomacy abroad, political turbulence awaits him at home. The U.S. Senate is set to reconvene in Washington amid a protracted government shutdown, now in its third week. Lawmakers are also expressing concern about Trump’s “expanding military footprint in the Caribbean,” though the administration insists the operations are “limited in scope.”
Adding to the intrigue, Trump revealed during his flight to Tokyo that he recently underwent an MRI scan at Walter Reed Medical Center — his second medical exam this year. At 79, he remains one of the oldest presidents in American history. “It was perfect,” he said, offering no further details and deflecting questions to his doctors. The White House has previously confirmed that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition causing leg swelling and bruising, but insists his overall health remains “excellent.”
The Canada Tariff Dispute
In a separate development, Trump refused to say when his new 10% tariff on Canada would take effect. The president has accused Canada’s government of airing a “fake” anti-tariff advertisement using footage of former President Ronald Reagan. “They all knew what the ad was. The prime minister knew. Everybody knew,” Trump said. The controversy adds another layer to the already complicated web of North American trade relations.
What Lies Ahead
On Tuesday, Trump’s Tokyo schedule will include meetings with business leaders, a speech aboard the USS George Washington, and a formal dinner with Prime Minister Takaichi. From Japan, he’s expected to travel to South Korea for the APEC CEO Summit, where another round of talks with regional partners awaits. Officials have hinted that Trump may meet Xi Jinping there, though the final agenda remains fluid.
For now, the Asia tour has offered Trump both a stage and a test — an opportunity to showcase American leadership while navigating the competing pressures of trade, security, and domestic politics. Whether the trip ends with tangible deals or merely symbolic gestures will depend on the week ahead.
But one thing is certain: in a region where alliances are shifting and rivalries deepening, every handshake and headline carries consequences far beyond the photo op.