Trump and Takaichi Set Out a Shared Future Vision in Washington

Introduction

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with President Donald Trump in person for the second time on March 19 during her first visit to Washington as prime minister, following her party’s resounding electoral victory last month. In a joint press conference held before their private afternoon meeting and in pre-dinner joint remarks at the White House, both leaders expressed great optimism that a deepened US-Japan partnership would lead to greater security and prosperity for both countries. Although the US-Israeli war with Iran framed anticipation about the meeting, public comments before and after their private meeting emphasized the wide range of cooperative possibilities for the two countries, including in joint development of new technologies and revitalization of the industrial bases of both countries.

President Trump ended his pre-dinner remarks at the White House by describing the U.S. and Japan together as “an unstoppable force for freedom, security, and progress … for many, many generations to come.” As both countries look to future generations, our joint efforts to revitalize and secure our industrial base is critical. Working together in shipbuilding is one promising path forward — an idea discussed at the two leaders’ first meeting in Tokyo in October 2025 and again referred to at their meeting at the White House this month.

From Short-Term Expansion to a Longer-Term Vision at Pearl Harbor

Increasing cooperation on shipbuilding does not only mean building new ships in one country or the other, a project that would take many years to come to fruition even if started tomorrow. In the meantime, there are current cooperative projects that could be expanded while a broader vision is developed, including perhaps in the creation of a joint shipbuilding and repair facility at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and potentially other locations in the United States, Japan, and even third countries in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japan has already gradually increased its involvement in repairing U.S. Navy vessels operating under the 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed U.S. fleet, located near Tokyo in Yokosuka. Notable examples include minor repairs conducted on USS Milius at MHI Yokohama a couple of years ago and subsequent repairs on auxiliary vessels at various Japanese shipyards such as JMU. In December 2025, short-term repair work on USS Fitzgerald at JMU Maizuru marked only the second known instance of combatant-class repair in Japan. Integration of repair scheduling of U.S. auxiliary vessels has progressed smoothly so far and remains essential to maintaining U.S. forward-deployed force readiness.

Given Japan’s shrinking population and growing reliance on non-Japanese labor, Japan sees potential long-term contributions in supporting U.S. workforce development. Ideas include establishing an apprenticeship institute in Hawaii or elsewhere in the United States and expanding opportunities for American students at Japan’s National Colleges of Technology (KOSEN). Additionally, the revival of dormant naval dock facilities in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor for shipbuilding purposes could complement workforce initiatives. Cooperation could include training programs for U.S. managerial and technical personnel, particularly in process management, automation, and labor-saving technologies.

Enhanced Cooperation in Shipbuilding as Part of Broader Industrial Base Development

Enhanced bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding and repair is essential for maintaining the U.S. 7th Fleet operational readiness and reinforcing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. While short-term actions may yield early results, a long-term, mutually beneficial framework is necessary. This cooperation must strengthen alliance capabilities, bolster industrial resilience in both nations, and ensure smoother transition from peace to contingency. No quick solutions exist, but a dual-track strategy — short-term pragmatism combined with long-term vision — offers the most viable path forward.

In connection with the Trump-Takaichi meeting in Washington on March 19, the Japanese government announced a series of economic cooperation partnerships related to supply chain security, critical minerals, and Alaskan oil. Shipbuilding — both military and civilian, new construction and repair — should remain at the top of this agenda with 100 million USD technical investment in AI and Robotics.

In Summary

We embrace a vision of the future set out by our two nation’s leaders at their White House dinner on March 19: As Trump described our two countries as “an unstoppable force for freedom, security, and progress,” and Takaichi concluded her remarks with a call to “let us together create a new chapter in the Japan-US alliance, a chapter filled with hope and strength.” Our joint development of new technologies, sharing best practices at the working level, and developing new facilities for military shipbuilding and repair — in the U.S., in Japan, and jointly in third countries — should be one component of this mutual path forward.

About the Authors

Hiroshi Ito (Vice Admiral, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (Ret.)) has served in the JMSDF as a surface warfare officer for almost four decades. He is a former Regional District Commandant in three different regions (in Maizuru, Kure, and Yokosuka) and currently Advisor to Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd and Senior Advisor to James Fisher Japan Limited. One of his personal decorations is the U.S. Legion of Merit, which was awarded by Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, USN in November 2025.

Andrew Oros is author most recently of Japan’s Security Renaissance (2017) and Asia’s Aging Security (2025). He also is Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.

Header image: Sanae Takaichi and Donald Trump at Yokosuka Naval Base. By Cabinet Secretariat (Japan).