WASHINGTON, D.C. — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi began a three-day visit to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and discuss Japan's potential role in securing the Strait of Hormuz and strengthening trade and security ties. Takaichi told lawmakers she expected her meeting with Trump to be very difficult.

"I think the U.S. visit will be a very difficult one, but I will do everything to maximize our national interest and to protect the daily lives of the people when the situation changes daily," Takaichi said in Japan's parliament. She also told lawmakers that she would do everything to maximize Japan's national interest and that she has no plans to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz at this time.

The visit comes after President Trump posted on social media platforms requesting countries to help secure the Strait of Hormuz following ongoing Middle East conflict. Trump wrote on Truth Social, "We get less than 1% of our oil from the [Strait of Hormuz] and some countries get much more. We want them to come and help us." After receiving a lukewarm response, he posted, "NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!"

U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026. Japan has avoided endorsing or directly criticizing the U.S.-Israeli strikes that began that day. Japan joined Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands in issuing a joint statement saying they would contribute to efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and called on Iran to halt its actions.

Takaichi and her ministers denied that Washington officially requested that Japanese warships be sent to the Strait of Hormuz. She said that dispatching ships for survey and intelligence missions would be possible only after a ceasefire. "We must work toward restoring peace and stability in the Middle East and I hope to thoroughly discuss that," Takaichi said. "The top priority is the early de-escalation of the situation."

The Washington visit was expected to include discussions on trade and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. Japan's economy is highly dependent on stable deliveries of oil and gas from the Middle East, which have been disrupted by the conflict. Takaichi is expected to announce additional investment projects worth about $100 billion during her meeting with Trump.

Takaichi took office in October and held her first meeting with Trump days after becoming prime minister. She is a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had a close friendship with Trump. Japan's post-World War II constitution bars the country from using force to resolve conflicts except in cases of self-defense.

Political Scientist Koichi Nakano said, "No one knows, however, what exactly Trump is going to demand, and whether [Takaichi] will really have the guts to decline on the spot."