Japan and U.S. strengthen alliance, for now

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s White House visit yesterday became a higher-stakes situation after the U.S. attack on Iran and calls on Japan and other allies to help protect the Strait of Hormuz. Those nations initially declined, but shortly before the meeting, Japan signed a joint statement with Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands pledging to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait.” Between this decision, Takaichi’s warm demeanor and words toward President Trump, and Japan moving forward with a $550 billion deal for crude oil, natural gas and nuclear energy, the visit further tightened U.S.-Japan relations. However, the Trumpet forecasts that this alliance will ultimately fracture, with Japan pivoting toward China and away from the United States.