Japan's PM walks tightrope in high-stakes Washington visit

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Washington to strengthen bilateral ties but faced pressure from President Trump to contribute to U.S. military involvement in Iran. The visit highlighted Japan's delicate diplomatic position as it seeks to maintain its alliance with the U.S. while weighing the costs and risks of deeper involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. Japan, historically reluctant to deploy forces overseas, must navigate Trump's demands for greater allied support against competing domestic political and strategic interests. The timing underscores broader tensions within the Trump administration's approach to reshaping alliance commitments, with key partners like Japan caught between maintaining Washington's favor and protecting their own security calculus. Takaichi's visit signals how Trump's foreign policy priorities are reshaping traditional alliance relationships during his second term.