two days before snap elections that polls suggest may see her coalition romp home with a super-majority. Japan's first woman prime minister is hoping on Sunday to capitalise on her strong popularity since taking the reins of Asia's number-two economy in October. Takaichi "has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social as he announced she would visit the United States on March 19.

The United States and Japan have been working to strike a "very substantial" deal on trade, as well as collaborating on national security, Trump said, offering his "Complete and Total Endorsement". "Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing," he added. While US presidents have typically refrained from endorsing candidates in overseas elections, Trump has done so repeatedly, including throwing his backing behind Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban.

Takaichi, 64, pulled out all the stops to welcome Trump to Japan days after she took office, endorsing the 79-year-old for the Nobel Peace Prize and gifting him golf memorabilia. Trade officials in July reached a deal that saw Washington lower tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 percent from a threatened 25 percent in return for promises of investment. Trump has not publicly weighed in on Takaichi's spat with China after she suggested in November that Japan would intervene militarily if China sought to take self-ruled Taiwan by force. China has never ruled democratic Taiwan, but Beijing claims Taiwan and has not ruled out forcibly annexing it. (Bssnews)