The Japanese leader heads to Washington on a visit complicated by the repercussions of the Iranian war

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi headed to the United States on Wednesday for a meeting she expects to be “very difficult” with U.S. President Donald Trump after he called on Japan and other allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The three-day visit to Washington was originally expected to focus on trade and strengthening the US-Japan alliance as China’s influence grows in Asia. It is now expected to be overshadowed by the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.

“I think the visit to the United States will be very difficult, but I will do everything in my power to maximize our national interest and to protect people’s daily lives when the situation changes daily,” Takaichi told parliament on Wednesday, hours before her departure.

“We must work to restore peace and stability in the Middle East, and I hope we will discuss this in detail,” Takaishi told reporters later before heading to the airport.

Takaichi held her first meeting with Trump in October in Tokyo, days after she became Japan’s first female prime minister. Takaichi, a hardline conservative, is a follower of former leader Shinzo Abe, who has developed a close friendship with Trump.

Its initial plan was to focus largely on China and strengthening the Japan-US alliance ahead of Trump’s upcoming diplomatic trip to China that has been planned for months. On Tuesday, the White House announced its postponement due to the war in the Middle East.

Read more: China rejects US request over the Strait of Hormuz as Trump’s trip to Beijing is postponed and the war with Iran worsens

Takaishi will be in the hot seat to see what he can do best for Trump. Experts say that demonstrating commitment and progress in investment deals is essential to the success of the summit.

Japanese officials say the two sides will work to deepen cooperation in the areas of regional security, vital minerals, energy, and dealing with China.

There is no plan to send a warship to the Strait of Hormuz

Japan, a key US ally in Asia, has carefully avoided providing explicit support for US-Israeli strikes on Iran or deciding whether to deploy a warship. This is mainly due to constitutional restrictions in Japan, but also because of a legal question about the US action and strong public opinion against it.

She told parliament that Japan hopes to see a de-escalation of the war, which has disrupted the oil and gas supplies on which Japan heavily depends.

She added: “Without early calming of the situation, our economy will face a problem.” “Early de-escalation is important for both the US economy and the global economy.”

Japan also hopes to secure its traditional ties with Iran, where most Japanese oil imports come from.

Takaishi and her ministers denied that Washington had officially requested that Japanese warships be sent to the Strait of Hormuz. Trump asked X number of countries, including Japan, to volunteer. Then he said he no longer needed them, and complained of a lack of enthusiasm.

This takes some pressure off Takaishi.

“We have no plans to send warships at the present time,” Takaishi told the parliamentary session on Wednesday. She added that it is possible to send survey and intelligence missions, but only after a ceasefire. Some Japanese experts commented that mine clearance would be a task the country could undertake when hostilities ended.

“I will clearly explain what we can and cannot do based on Japanese law,” Takaishi said. “I’m sure (Trump) is fully aware of Japanese law.”

China and security

Takaishi wants to discuss China’s security and economic coercion and ensure US commitment in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with the transfer of some US forces stationed in Japan to the Middle East — a change that Japan sees as a potential risk to Asia as China’s influence grows.

Takaishi plans to reassure Trump about Japan’s military buildup, stressing the acceleration of the deployment of long-range missiles to enhance offensive capabilities. This contravenes the principle of self-defense only that Japan adopted in the post-war period, and reflects a closer alignment with the United States.

During the summit, Takaishi is expected to convey Japan’s interest in joining the multi-billion-dollar Golden Dome multi-layered missile defense system.

Japan considers China a growing security threat and has pushed to strengthen its military forces in the southwestern islands near the East China Sea.

Takaichi has pledged to review Japan’s security and defense policy by December, and seeks to bolster Japan’s military with unmanned combat weapons and long-range missiles.

Her government is set to lift the ban on lethal weapons exports in the coming weeks to boost Japan’s defense industry and cooperation with the United States and other friendly countries.

Oil in Alaska, rare earths in Japan

Japan, a resource-poor country, is seeking to diversify its oil suppliers and is finalizing a Japanese investment to increase oil production in Alaska and reserves in Japan, according to media reports. Japanese investment in small modular reactors and natural gas in the United States is also possible.

If agreed upon, these projects will be part of a $550 billion investment package Japan pledged in October. In February, the two sides announced Japan’s commitment to the first tranche of $36 billion projects – a natural gas plant in Ohio, a crude oil export facility on the US Gulf Coast and a synthetic diamond manufacturing site – the progress of which is also set to be discussed with Trump.

Japan is said to be planning to propose joint development of rare earth elements discovered in undersea soil around the remote Japanese island of Minamitorishima as part of an investment package.

Diplomatic and trade disputes have escalated further since Takaishi’s comment that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response.