President Donald Trump’s high-stakes visit to Tokyo is turning out to be a game-changer for the diplomatic relations between the United States and Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday revealed her nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize while both leaders signed a critical framework agreement on rare earth minerals.
The landmark meeting between Trump and Japan’s first female prime minister ushered in what Takaichi described as a “new golden age” in US-Japan relations.
The visit comes as Trump’s Asia tour builds momentum ahead of his anticipated Thursday meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
US-Japan strategic rare earths partnership
Amid an ongoing tussle with China over the supply of critical rare earths, President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi signed a landmark framework agreement on Tuesday aimed at securing critical minerals and rare earth supply chains.
The deal secures comprehensive cooperation in mining and processing of essential materials used in electronics, electric vehicles, defense technologies, and renewable energy systems.
Under the deal, the US and Japan agreed to speed up permits, align their investments, and start funding selected mining projects within six months.
They are also setting up a joint “Rapid Response Group” to spot supply risks early and manage emergency shipments of key materials.
The timing proves critical as China currently processes over 90% of global rare earth supplies and has recently tightened export controls, adding new elements to its restricted list.
Beyond rare earths, Trump and Takaichi also confirmed they are moving ahead with the broader trade deal the two sides struck back in July 2025.
As part of that agreement, Japan is committing $550 billion to help revive key US industries, a move that has turned controversial in domestic political circles in Japan.
Takaichi backs Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
During their meeting on Tuesday, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told President Trump that she has officially nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, and even handed him the paperwork at the Akasaka Palace.
The White House later confirmed that Takaichi privately informed Trump of the nomination, crediting his role in what she described as efforts to promote global peace and stability.
During their bilateral discussions, Takaichi specifically praised Trump’s role in facilitating the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the Cambodia-Thailand peace agreement.
“Mr. President succeeded in securing a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia…the deal you have recently achieved in the Middle East is an unprecedented, historic achievement”.
She emphasized that “in such a short period of time the world started to enjoy more peace,” adding that she was “so impressed and inspired” by his efforts.
Japan joins a growing roster of nations nominating Trump for the prestigious award, including Pakistan, Israel, Cambodia, Thailand, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, while Rwanda and Gabon have also endorsed the move.
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