Takaichi Sanae, president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, received a congratulatory message from U.S. President Donald Trump two days after she was elected. Even though she has not yet been officially chosen as prime minister, she received congratulations in advance in her capacity as prime minister.
On the 6th, President Trump said on his social media Truth Social that "Japan has just elected its first-ever female prime minister," adding that she is "a highly respected figure with outstanding wisdom and strength."
He added, "This is great news for the Japanese people," and wrote, "Congratulations to all."
President Trump's congratulatory message came two days after President Takaichi was elected LDP president. Some interpret this as Trump signaling an active will to shape relations with Japan's new leader.
Previously, President Trump did not issue a separate statement when President Lee Jae-myung was elected. In their first call two days after the election, he offered congratulations.
The White House likewise did not issue a separate congratulatory message, stating only at a regular briefing on Jun. 3, the day after the presidential election in which President Lee was elected, that "the South Korea–U.S. alliance remains ironclad."
Meanwhile, the first time President Trump left a congratulatory message on social media for President Lee was on Jul. 30. At the time, while sharing news of a South Korea–U.S. tariff negotiation agreement, he wrote, "Korea will provide $350 billion to the United States for the investments I have chosen," and "Congratulations on the new president's election victory."
Meanwhile, President Takaichi was elected the 29th LDP president on the 4th. She is expected to be designated the 104th prime minister at an extraordinary Diet session on the 15th. She will be Japan's first female prime minister in constitutional history.