US President Donald Trump has urged Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to step up more support over the war with Iran and rising oil prices, while defending the secrecy of the campaign by invoking Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbour. Trump, who greeted Takaichi at the White House, heaped praise on the leader of Washington’s closest ally in East Asia, during an Oval Office meeting where the expected topics of discussion included tense relations with China and the billions of dollars Tokyo is committing to US investments favoured by Trump.

 

Trump defended an Iran operation that took US allies by surprise and also used the meeting to renew pressure on US allies from Asia to Europe. He has asked for more ships to clear mines and escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, largely closed by Iran in the conflict. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Takaichi said she had briefed Trump on what support Japan could and could not provide in the strait under its laws. She did not elaborate publicly.