U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 19th (local time) at the White House after meeting with Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that he expects a more active role from Japan in responding to Iran.
That day, President Trump, noting the need for Japan's participation amid tensions with Iran, said, "I want Japan to take an active role. We are in that kind of relationship, and there are 45,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan."
Trump said, "We are not asking for much, and we do not particularly want anything from Japan or other countries," but emphasized, "Given the situation, it would be desirable for each country to move more proactively."
Prime Minister Takaichi made clear opposition to Iran's nuclear armament but did not publicly mention Japan's specific role. She also assessed Trump as "a person who will bring peace and prosperity to the world."
Takaichi is the first leader from a directly concerned country to meet Trump in person since he publicly called for dispatching forces to the Strait of Hormuz while mentioning Asian and European allies, including Korea and Japan.
In the subsequent closed-door talks, Japan's role in easing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as bilateral trade and investment issues, are expected to be the main focus.