From English praise to Pearl Harbor jab, Trump leaves Japan PM visibly uneasy

Trump praised Japan PM's English in a light moment, but sparked discomfort with a Pearl Harbor joke during talks on Iran strikes, highlighting the mix of humour and tension in diplomacy.

In Short

• Trump praised Takaichi’s English fluency and joked about translation
• He suggested learning Japanese before her next visit
• Trump referenced Pearl Harbor in response to surprise attack question

US President Donald Trump mixed humour with an awkward historical reference during a press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House on Thursday. The briefing took place following a summit between the two leaders during which the US and Japan announced energy projects and a critical minerals action plan.

The press briefing, taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing Iran war, that followed the meeting began on a light note, with Trump praising Takaichi’s English fluency and joking about skipping translation.

“Do you understand this? Very good, I’ll tell you! So nice we don’t have to sit through translation,” Trump said, drawing awkward smiles.

Trump added playfully, “Next time I’ll have your language passed,” suggesting he would try to learn Japanese before her next visit, setting the stage for a briefing that saw most questions directed at Trump and the Japanese PM largely staying quiet.

LIGHT MOMENT TURNS UNCOMFORTABLE

However, the tone shifted when Trump referenced Japan’s 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor while answering a question about why allies were not informed before US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

“We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan, OK?” Trump said.

He then turned to Takaichi and added, “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, OK?”

The remark appeared to catch the Japanese Prime Minister off guard. Takaichi, who was relying on an interpreter, did not respond and appeared visibly uncomfortable, shifting in her seat as reporters reacted audibly in the room.

A SENSITIVE HISTORICAL REFERENCE

The reference carries deep historical weight. Japan’s surprise attack on the US Navy's Pacific Fleet at its naval base in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, killed more than 2,400 Americans.

The then US President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it "a date which will live in infamy" as he annoucned the country's decision to enter World War II, which had by then been raging for around three years.

The US went on to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the only use of nuclear weapons in history, forcing a Japanese surrender and bringing an end to the global war.

Takaichi’s visit comes at a sensitive time, as she is among the first allied leaders to meet Trump since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

- Ends