TOKYO: As newly appointed Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi begins her tenure, her administration is finalizing a strategic trade and investment proposal to present to U.S. President Donald Trump during his upcoming visit to Japan. The package reportedly includes purchases of American-made pickup trucks, soybeans, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to sources familiar with the discussions.
While the Japanese government is preparing to offer economic incentives, it is not expected to commit to a new defense spending benchmark during the talks. The meeting, scheduled for early next week in Tokyo, marks Trump’s first visit to Japan since his re-election and follows a prior agreement by former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to invest up to $550 billion in the United States in exchange for reduced auto tariffs.
“The alliance with the United States remains the foundation of Japan’s foreign and security policy,” Takaichi stated during her first press briefing as prime minister. Her administration, which currently governs without a parliamentary majority, views the meeting as a critical opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and gain U.S. support for regional security initiatives.
A Japanese government spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the upcoming discussions, citing diplomatic protocol. The White House has not issued a statement in response to inquiries about the proposed package.
Among the items under consideration are Ford F-150 pickup trucks—an idea previously endorsed by Trump—and increased imports of U.S. soybeans. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reportedly raised the soybean proposal in a recent call with his Japanese counterpart. Although American pickups are generally considered too large and inefficient for Japan’s urban roads, they may be repurposed for utility functions such as snow removal.
Japan currently sources approximately 70% of its soybean imports from the United States. To accommodate additional purchases, Tokyo may reduce its intake from Brazil, one source suggested. The move comes amid a sharp decline in U.S. soybean exports to China, which fell to zero in September for the first time in nearly seven years.
In addition to agricultural goods, Japan is expected to increase its LNG imports from the U.S., though not immediately from the Alaskan pipeline project favored by Trump. Japanese officials will also present a list of potential investment ventures under the $550 billion framework, which both governments will evaluate before final decisions are made.
During the recent leadership contest within the Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi was the only candidate to question the fairness of the investment agreement, which heavily favors U.S. returns. Nonetheless, she has pledged to honor the deal, noting that even a disproportionate profit split can be viable if the associated risks are minimal.
On defense, Takaichi has expressed her intent to deepen security cooperation with Washington. Japan already hosts a significant U.S. military presence, including naval and air assets. At the upcoming meeting, she is expected to signal Japan’s readiness to accelerate its defense buildup beyond the 2% of GDP target set for 2027.
She has also directed defense officials to reassess three strategic documents from 2022 that underpin Japan’s current military expansion—the largest since World War II. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi emphasized that Japan’s defense posture should be measured by capability rather than budgetary ratios.
President Trump is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on Monday and depart the following day. His itinerary includes a meeting with Emperor Naruhito and joint travel with Takaichi to Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, followed by a visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering.
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