Unease in Japan after Trump cites Pearl Harbor to defend Iran war

Donald Trump's joke referencing the Pearl Harbor attack during a White House press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been met with shock and disapproval in Japan. The incident occurred on Thursday as a response to a question about the US's surprise attack on Iran. Trump's comments were perceived as insensitive given the historical significance of Pearl Harbor and Japan's alliance with the US. Takaichi's restrained reaction to the joke has been praised. The meeting took place amidst tensions in US-Japan relations due to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Iran, and Japan's reluctance to participate militarily in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump announced a delay of approximately six weeks for his planned trip to China, which was originally scheduled for March 31st. During a White House appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump stated his intention to commend Japan during his visit to China, despite ongoing tensions between China and Japan regarding Taiwan. The trip will include a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While the article mentions PLA-Nato talks in the title, the body of the text does not provide any information about this topic.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday of her strong desire to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Takaichi seeks to discuss the past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea, a long-standing point of contention between the two countries. She stated that Trump expressed full support for her efforts to find an immediate resolution to the issue and they exchanged ideas on how a meeting with Kim could be arranged. Japan officially recognizes 17 citizens as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, with suspicions of more disappearances. While five abductees were returned in 2002, no further progress has been made since.

Late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers addressed Donald Trump's recent comments during a meeting with Japan's prime minister. Kimmel criticized Trump's joke about Pearl Harbor, suggesting his knowledge of the event comes from the Ben Affleck movie. Kimmel also highlighted a newly unredacted email contradicting Trump's claims about Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with Mar-a-Lago. Meyers also mocked Trump's Pearl Harbor comment, pointing out the historical inaccuracy. Both hosts also discussed the impact of the government shutdown on TSA agents, with Kimmel noting reports of agents selling blood to pay bills. The discussions occurred on their respective late-night shows following Trump's meeting with the Japanese prime minister.

During a meeting in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi discussed the president's decision not to inform allies about a potential attack on Iran. When questioned by Takaichi, Trump referenced Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. He stated, "Who knows better about surprise than Japan?" The meeting took place amidst ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. The article does not provide further context or explanation for Trump's statement.

US President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House Oval Office, marking a high-stakes summit that appeared to get off to a positive start. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and pledged cooperation on trade, global energy market stability, and regional security. Trump expressed support for Japan's role in addressing these issues, stating that they are "stepping up to the plate." Takaichi did not comment on the US-Israeli plans to attack Iran, which were kept secret from her. The meeting took place amid concerns about Trump's behavior towards other allies who have declined to help him clear the Strait of Hormuz. The two leaders agreed to work together and discussed future meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with former U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, March 18, 2026, in Washington D.C. The meeting's original purpose was to allow Takaichi to speak with Trump before his planned trip to China. However, the meeting's focus shifted due to the war in Iran and Trump's unsuccessful call for international assistance, including from Japan, to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has publicly expressed his displeasure with allies, including Japan, for declining his request to help safeguard the waterway critical for oil and gas transport. The meeting may now involve Trump voicing his concerns directly to Takaichi.

During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office, Donald Trump responded to a reporter's question about informing allies before a potential attack on Iran by referencing Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Trump joked about Japan's history of surprise attacks, asking why they didn't inform him about Pearl Harbor beforehand. The remark, made in response to a question about informing allies before military action, evoked the 1941 attack that led the U.S. into World War II. While some supporters praised the comment, others criticized it as inappropriate. This incident follows a previous awkward exchange where Trump made a similar comment about D-Day.

Following strikes on Gulf energy facilities amidst the US-Israeli conflict with Iran in late March 2026, several European nations and Japan issued a joint statement expressing readiness to stabilize energy markets and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The statement, from leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan, urged a moratorium on attacks on civilian infrastructure. This announcement follows the International Energy Agency's authorization of a strategic petroleum reserve release to counter rising global energy prices after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in late February. While the specific efforts were not detailed, the nations pledged to work with producing nations to increase output. The statement was released before a White House meeting between President Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi, where energy security was expected to be discussed.

In March 2026, Japan began releasing oil from its emergency reserves in response to a global energy crisis. This crisis was triggered by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, amid a war with the US and Israel. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced Japan would unilaterally release 80 million barrels, preceding a coordinated effort by the IEA to release 400 million barrels globally. The move aims to stabilize the market amid concerns about disrupted oil supplies through the Strait, a critical waterway for global oil transport. Despite the IEA's efforts, oil prices have remained elevated, with Brent crude rising significantly since the start of the conflict. Japan has stated it will not deploy its navy to the Strait.

The upcoming meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump is complicated by escalating Middle East tensions. Trump is expected to press Takaichi to send Japanese warships to the Strait of Hormuz following recent attacks on vessels, aiming to demonstrate allied support against Iran. However, Japan's constitution restricts its participation in overseas military operations, placing Takaichi in a difficult position. The summit at the White House this week is intended to deepen economic cooperation and shipbuilding collaboration, but the Hormuz issue threatens to overshadow these goals. Analysts believe Trump will seek a visible commitment from Japan, while Takaichi likely hopes to avoid making any military pledges.

Amidst the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran in March 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared it would block all oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies. The IRGC warned that any vessel linked to the US, Israel, or their allies would be considered a legitimate target. This action, coupled with production slowdowns in some Gulf countries, has roiled global energy markets. The IRGC anticipates oil prices to reach $200 per barrel, despite the release of 400 million barrels from global reserves. The closure of the Strait, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil transits, and attacks on ships in the area have exacerbated concerns about further disruptions and rising prices.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), comprised of 32 member countries, is preparing to release 400 million barrels of oil from its stockpiles. This marks only the fifth time in the IEA's history that it has taken such action. The move is intended to alleviate pressure on global oil prices, which have been affected by geopolitical events such as the conflict in Iran. The IEA was originally formed in response to the 1970s oil crisis to mitigate the impact of disruptions in the oil market. However, there is no certainty that this release will successfully lower prices.

Amid rising tensions over oil shipments, the US military attacked and destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. This action followed reports that Iran had begun laying mines in the strategically important waterway, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil passes. The US military released footage of the attacks shortly after Donald Trump demanded the removal of any Iranian mines in the Strait. Oil shipments have been blocked since US-Israeli strikes on Iran 11 days prior, causing market volatility, further exacerbated by a retracted social media post from the US energy secretary claiming a successful US Navy escort of an oil tanker through the Strait. Iran has threatened to stop any movement of the US fleet and its allies in the region.