The White House announced on October 28 (local time) that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to nominate U.S. President Donald Trump as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
According to Reuters and Kyodo News, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made this statement in connection with the U.S.-Japan summit held in Tokyo that day.
Donald Trump, President of the United States (left), and Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
Prime Minister Takaichi stated, "The world has come to enjoy more peace in such a short period," and added, "I have been deeply impressed and inspired by President Trump."
Prior to the summit, Kyodo News reported, citing a Japanese government official, that Prime Minister Takaichi intended to convey her plan to recommend President Trump as a Nobel Peace Prize candidate during the U.S.-Japan summit.
President Trump has previously expressed his ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming that his mediation efforts led to the end of eight wars around the world this year, though he has not succeeded in winning the award.
It was also reported that during her first phone call with President Trump after taking office on October 25, Prime Minister Takaichi praised his leadership in contributing to stability in the Middle East. Additionally, President Trump's role in presiding over the joint signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the venue of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit on October 26, was cited as another reason for her Nobel Peace Prize recommendation.
On the same day, aside from her plan to recommend President Trump for the Nobel Prize, Prime Minister Takaichi also announced a gift of 250 cherry trees to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, to be presented on Independence Day, July 4, next year. She also gave President Trump, who is fond of golf, a golden golf ball and golf equipment previously used by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In addition, outside the summit venue, American-made vehicles such as the Ford F-150 pickup truck and Toyota cars produced in the United States were displayed.
Amid pressure from the United States to increase defense spending and invest more in the U.S., Prime Minister Takaichi is seeking to win President Trump's favor by following former Prime Minister Abe's strategy of lavish hospitality. She has declared her intention to carry on the political legacy of former Prime Minister Abe.
Former Prime Minister Abe, who maintained a close relationship with President Trump, had previously recommended him as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, citing his efforts to ease tensions with North Korea.
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