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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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Images are circulating on social media showing Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's reaction to President Donald Trump’s remarks comparing events in Iran to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The coverage of Takaichi’s first official visit to the U.S. has been dominated by Trump’s response to a Japanese journalist who asked why the U.S. had not warned its allies it was going to strike Iran on February 28.
Trump responded: “One thing you don’t want to do is signal. We went in very hard. We didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise.” Turning toward Takaichi as he spoke, Trump added, “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor? He's asking me—no, you believe in surprise, I think, much more so than us."
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His remarks sparked widespread reaction, though much of the focus was on social media was on Takaichi’s response to the remarks.
Why It Matters
Takaichi's first visit to the White House was originally supposed to focus on discussions around trade, regional security and energy cooperation.
However, the Iran War changed all of that. Earlier this week, Trump had called on Japan and its other allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for global oil supplies that has been disrupted by the conflict.
Takaichi previously indicated that there were no plans to dispatch naval vessels to escort boats in the Middle East, with her office confirming on X that “no specific request from the United States to Japan for the dispatch of vessels.”
Trump’s remarks are unlikely to change Japan’s stance on the issue of Iran. Though Takaichi expressed concern about the global economic impact of the conflict, she also reaffirmed the U.S.-Japan alliance and expressed renewed concerns over the development of nuclear weapons in Iran.
“Iran’s development of nuclear weapons must never be allowed,” she said, through an interpreter. “That is why we, Japan, have been urging them and also reaching out to other partners in the world.”
Trump’s comments may not have damaged his relationship with Takaichi but they have been seen as a source of embarrassment by many political commentators.
What To Know
In video footage from the moment Trump mentions Pearl Harbor, Takaichi could be seen taking a deep breath. When Trump then told the Japanese reporter “you believe in surprise much more than us,” Takaichi appeared to raise her eyebrows in the journalist's direction.
The vast majority of the discussion on X over what unfolded centered on Takaichi’s facial expressions throughout the cringe-inducing moment.
Political commentator Adam Schwarz was among those to focus on Takaichi’s facial expressions to what he described on X as “undoubtedly the worst American diplomatic gaffe in post-war U.S.-Japan history.”
Another political commentator on X, @Daractenus, also posted about Takaichi’s response, writing: “Having watched all of this live, I'm pretty sure the Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi was on the verge of snapping at him at several points.”
Canadian writer Jeet Heer, meanwhile, commented: “Some amazing facial expressions from Takaichi.”
Karly Kingsley, a critic of the Trump administration with over 94,000 followers, wrote in response: “World leaders need to stop having decorum with Trump.
“It’s embarrassing having a president who says things like 'Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?' PM Takaichi’s response should have been 'Because neither of us were born yet.'”
What People Are Saying
CNN's Jake Tapper posted on X, "FWIW Prime Minister Takaichi was born 20 years after Pearl Harbor."
Eric Daugherty, a conservative commentator, posted on X, "JUST IN: The whole WORLD realized President Trump is a comedic masterclass after he dropped a World War 2 zinger with Japan in the Oval Office."
Democratic strategist Jon Cooper posted on X, "I can’t believe that Trump just joked about Pearl Harbor while sitting next to Japan’s prime minister at the White House. What an absolute embarrassment!"
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