Trump’s most prized keepsake from Japan: Another pledge for a Nobel nomination
Japan was a trip to remember for US President Donald Trump, who, in under 72 hours, struck a key deal with Tokyo on rare earth metals, toured a strategic American naval base, and — perhaps most importantly to him — gained another endorsement for his Nobel Peace Prize bid.
The planned nomination was among Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s first diplomatic gestures in office, as she joined a list of seven heads of state and ministers who have already backed the Nobel ambitions of America’s self-styled peacemaker president.
Takaichi’s decision to nominate Trump was revealed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
During Trump’s visit to Japan, it was clear that, at least in front of the cameras, he and Takaichi met eye to eye on a lot of things. Parallels have been drawn between the two as conservative firebrands and formidable right-wing politicians.
Takaichi herself heaped high praises on Trump, commending his efforts to broker peace in Japan’s Asian neighbours, Thailand and Cambodia, and in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire was effectively broken when Israel launched another deadly strike on the Strip while Trump was in Tokyo.
"In such a short period of time the world started to enjoy more peace," Takaichi said on Tuesday "I myself was so impressed and inspired by you, Mr. President.”
Since returning to the White House, Trump has been relentless in his talk of winning the Nobel, claiming to have ended eight wars — including the “unendable” one in Gaza — an achievement he believes could also bring him to heaven.
According to the White House, seven countries had nominated Trump before Japan: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Gabon, Israel, Pakistan and Rwanda.
The irony in Takaichi’s endorsement is not lost, given that during the Second World War, the United States and Japan were among the fiercest of adversaries — their clashes epitomised by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Now, under Takaichi, Japan appears to be charting a different course. The country’s first female prime minister has vowed to usher in a “new golden age” in relations with Washington, even as tensions rise in the region amid Chinese provocations.
That goal may not be far-fetched. Trump has already had high praise for Takaichi despite her being only a week into the job, touting her potential to be “one of the greatest prime ministers.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
