Trump-Takaichi hold phone talks on Indo-Pacific security amid regional tensions
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump held a 25-minute phone call on Tuesday to discuss what Tokyo described as 'various challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region,' Japan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
During the call, both leaders exchanged views on strengthening the Japan-US security alliance at a time of heightened tensions involving China, Taiwan, and maritime disputes across the region. Trump also briefed Takaichi on the current state of US-China relations, including outcomes from his recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the ministry noted.
The two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination as geopolitical pressures intensify, reaffirming the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of regional stability.
The call followed Trump’s conversation with Xi on Monday, during which the U.S. president described the discussion as 'very good' and confirmed he had accepted an invitation to visit Beijing in April. Xi, according to Chinese state media, reiterated that Taiwan’s return to China remained a key part of the post-World War II international order.
Taiwan has increasingly become a flashpoint between Beijing and Tokyo. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Takaichi warned Japanese lawmakers that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could legally constitute a 'survival-threatening situation' for Japan. Such a scenario could allow Tokyo to invoke its right to collective self-defense under security legislation revised in 2015.
Beijing reacted sharply to her comments, accusing Japan of undermining stability in the region. China issued travel advisories for Japan, reinstated a ban on Japanese seafood imports, and hinted at potential further countermeasures.
The latest round of diplomatic exchanges underscores the fraught strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific. Japan, the United States, and their allies have expressed growing concern over China’s military maneuvers and assertive posture, while China continues to view any alignment around Taiwan as interference in its internal affairs.
Tokyo and Washington are expected to hold additional consultations in the coming weeks as both sides prepare for a busy diplomatic calendar leading into early next year.
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