October 27, 2025,  President Trump met with Takaichi in Tokyo at Akasaka Palace. The two leaders signed a framework agreement to strengthen the supply chain for critical minerals and rare earths. The deal aims to reduce dependence on China, which controls most of the world’s supply of these materials.

Trump is conducting his diplomatic tour while a government shutdown continues back in the U.S. He has gained criticism from Democratic lawmakers for being abroad during the shutdown, which entered its 28th day during his visit. Sanae Takaichi, who became the country’s first female prime minister only days ago, solidified her relationship with Trump, while defending her country’s economic interests.

“You’re great business people,” Trump told the gathered executives before the dinner. “Our country will not let you down.” ( Klein, Yeung, Chowdhury, Sangal and Regan, October 28, 2025) By the end of the day, Trump’s administration’s count came close to the goal of $550 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade framework. At a dinner for business leaders in Tokyo, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced up to $490 billion in commitments including $100 billion each for nuclear projects involving Westinghouse and GE Vernova.

It was not immediately clear how the investments would operate and how they compared with previous plans, but Trump declared a win as he capped off a day of bonding with Takaichi. Trump told her it was a big deal that she is Japan’s first woman prime minister, and said the U.S. is committed to Japan. While the president is known for not shying away from publicly scolding his foreign counterparts, he had nothing but praise for Takaichi.