Bessent Calls Takaichi, Who Led LDP Landslide, a "Great Ally"

"When Japan is strong, the United States is also strong in Asia"
Congratulations follow from the U.S. ambassador to Japan and the State Department
After Takaichi's victory is confirmed: "Grateful to Trump"

Takaichi Sanae, Japan's prime minister, is smiling during a meeting on the 5th (local time) with Wei Zhejia, chief executive officer (CEO) of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Reuters and Yonhap News

On the 9th (local time), U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae as a "great ally" after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan scored a landslide victory in the general election.

In an interview that day with Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures," Secretary Bessent said, "He (Prime Minister Takaichi) is a great ally and has a great relationship with President (Donald Trump)," adding, "When Japan is strong, the United States is also strong in Asia."

In the Japanese general election, the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae secured more than two-thirds of the seats, winning by a landslide. Prime Minister Takaichi is known for his hardline security stance and pro-U.S. orientation, and has been a figure who has received open support from President Trump.

According to Japan's Kyodo News, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass also referred to the election outcome on social media (SNS) the same day as an "impressive win," and said, "We look forward to strengthening cooperation between our two countries, grounded in the revitalization of the U.S.-Japan partnership."

The same day, the U.S. State Department also said in a statement that "the Trump administration looks forward to advancing not only our shared interests with Japan in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, but also U.S. security and economic priorities." A State Department spokesperson also called the U.S.-Japan alliance "the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the region," adding that it is "stronger than ever."

President Trump likewise expressed his full support for Prime Minister Takaichi on social media on the 5th. On Truth Social, while referring to Japan's general election, he voiced his support for Prime Minister Takaichi, saying, "Prime Minister Takaichi has already proven that he is a strong, powerful, and wise leader who truly loves his country." He then wished him good luck, saying, "He will not let the people of Japan down."

Prime Minister Takaichi, in a post uploaded in English and Japanese to his X (formerly Twitter) account at around 12:30 a.m. on the 9th, when the Liberal Democratic Party's general election victory was confirmed, wrote, "I sincerely appreciate President Trump's warm words." He added, "I look forward to visiting the White House this spring so that we can work together on additional steps to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance," and said, "The potential of our alliance is infinite."