Trump Leaves Malaysia; Heads To Japan For Key Meetings With Emperor & PM Takaichi

US President Donald Trump departed Kuala Lumpur on Monday morning, heading to Tokyo for the second leg of his six-day, three-nation Asia tour.

According to reports, Air Force One took off from Malaysia around 10 AM local time, with the President expected to land in Tokyo by 5 PM.

Upon his arrival, Trump’s only scheduled public engagement is a courtesy meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.

The visit underscores the ceremonial warmth Japan is extending to the American President as both nations reaffirm their long-standing strategic alliance.

Meeting with Japan’s First Female Prime Minister

During his stay, Trump will hold formal talks with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi — the country’s first woman to hold the post and a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Trump and Takaichi are expected to discuss trade, investment, and security cooperation, continuing the strong personal rapport Trump once shared with Abe.

Takaichi’s government plans to confirm Japan’s participation in a proposed US-led $900 billion investment plan.

The deal includes commitments to create jobs in American manufacturing and technology sectors, in exchange for easing certain tariff rates from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.

Trump’s visit comes amid a shifting geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan, under Takaichi’s leadership, seeks to deepen defence cooperation with Washington while bolstering regional stability.

Trump will meet US troops stationed in Japan to reaffirm America’s commitment to regional security partnerships.

He will then travel to South Korea to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

The meeting, anticipated to take place in Busan, follows months of tension over tariffs and export controls that have impacted global markets.

Trade and Diplomatic Challenges

The Trump-Xi meeting is expected to dominate headlines, given the ongoing US-China trade dispute and Beijing’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports.

Trump has indicated that he may also raise the issue of jailed pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai during the talks.

The possibility of an impromptu meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un remains uncertain, as Trump admitted that contact with Pyongyang has been difficult. “They have a lot of nuclear weapons but not a lot of telephone service,” he quipped.

Trump’s Asia tour began in Kuala Lumpur, where he attended the ASEAN Summit and held talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The discussions focused on mediating a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, with the US supporting Malaysia’s efforts to secure a ceasefire.

Before leaving Malaysia, Trump praised Ibrahim’s leadership, saying, “He’s a very good man, and I told him I owe him a visit.”

The President also met Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, discussing trade tariffs and cooperation.

Trump’s Asia tour continues to highlight his administration’s focus on expanding American economic influence and diplomatic engagement across the Indo-Pacific region.

Also Read: PM Modi Highlights Rapid Growth Of India-ASEAN Cooperation; Announces 2026 As ‘ASEAN-India Year Of Maritime Cooperation’