Japan has denied reports that U.S. President Donald Trump offered Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi advice related to Taiwan, saying the claims are not based on fact. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated this clearly at a press conference on the afternoon of the 27th.
Kihara said that some reports on the Japan–U.S. leaders’ phone call on the 25th included claims that President Trump had advised Japan not to provoke the Chinese government on issues related to Taiwan’s sovereignty, but he emphasized, “I want to make it clear that no such thing took place.”
When asked whether Japan would request the Wall Street Journal, which reported the story, to retract the article, he replied, “We have already made a formal request.”
by liatris4405
8 comments
It seems the information war has already begun.
Because of course Trump would never make that sort of off-the-cuff remark 😉
Honestly though, Japan is screwed either way. Say it’s not true and people will say its trying to smooth things out. Ignore it and people will say that proves its true.
Personally I find it interesting that Japan is making such a clear categorical statement and not leaving any ambiguity in the interpretation at all — which is a bit unusual.
WSJ had reported it this way:
>[After discussion with Xi Jinping] Trump set up a call with Takaichi and advised her not to provoke Beijing on the question of Taiwan’s sovereignty, said Japanese officials and an American briefed on the call. **The advice from Trump was subtle**, and he didn’t pressure Takaichi to walk back her comments, those briefed on the calls said.
Trump isn’t known for his subtlety in anything. Maybe someone from the Japanese-side “read the room” when there was actually nothing to read.
Never in a moment do I want more Trump’s call with Xi leaked like the one he had with the Russians like now
So it’s true.
I find it weird that Japan doesn’t just swerve towards Asia. We all take for granted Japan is an American ally. But trump is an abusive partner, so, fuck him.
Whatever the Chief Cabinet Secretary is saying, Takaichi is already backpedaling across the board it seems:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp./news/2025/11/26/japan/politics/party-leaders-diet-debate-taiwan/
“*Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday* ***hinted in parliament that she didn’t initially intend to refer to a specific case that Japan could consider a “survival-threatening situation” that would potentially allow it to deploy its military under the right of collective self-defense****.*
*But, facing off with opposition leaders in parliament for the first time since taking office, Takaichi insisted that her position is in line with that of previous administrations and defended her* [*Nov. 7 remarks*](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/10/japan/politics/takaichi-taiwan/) *in which she said a Chinese naval blockade of Taiwan could constitute an existential crisis for Japan.*”
…
“*When she took office, Takaichi broke with her predecessors by* [*sidestepping a commitment*](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/12/japan/politics/takaichi-nonnuclear-principles/) *to the principles and even hinting they might be up for an overhaul as her government begins revising Japan’s security strategy.*
***Asked about the issue, Takaichi avoided giving a straight answer, insisting only that she had not explicitly instructed a formal review of the government’s position****.*”
Shades of Ishiba’s deal with Trump that she (Takaichi):
– initially spent month criticizing and was hell-bent on re-negotiate while Ishiba was in charge…
– …to then intend to only review it for “unfair” bits and parts in the election run-up
– …to finally sign it off as it was once she won the election
or
– her initial repeated statements (plural) that she would visit Yasukuni Jinja as a PM…
– to avoid the answering the question altogether during run-up Q&A with the press…
– to finally weasel out with the customary “offering” i/o of going
More a loudmouth “Paper Tiger” than an “Iron Lady”…
Anyway, her fanbase is so dimwitted they won’t notice, preferring instead to focus on performing very impressive mental acrobatics desperately trying to reconcile her statements with her actions.
I personally wouldn’t trust WSJ over Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary. The WSJ and Fox News is owned by the same person.
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