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Trump references Pearl Harbor during White House press moment
U.S. President Donald Trump drew on a painful chapter in U.S.-Japan history when questioned about the lack of warning before a recent strike on Iran. The remark came during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's official visit to Washington on Friday.
The exchange
A Japanese journalist asked why the U.S. had not informed its allies before launching a military operation against Iran on February 28. Trump responded by invoking Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, which propelled the U.S. into World War II.
"Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" Trump said, as Takaichi appeared visibly startled, her eyes widening and her smile fading.
Reactions in the room
The president's comment elicited laughter from some journalists and staff present, but Takaichi's body language suggested discomfort. Mineko Tokito, a senior reporter for the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, described the prime minister's reaction as one of clear unease.
"Prime Minister Takaichi viscerally reacted, her eyes widening and her smile disappearing as she leaned back, drawing her hands in, clearly taken aback by the sudden mention of Pearl Harbor."
Mineko Tokito, Yomiuri Shimbun
Public and historical context
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in the deaths of more than 2,400 U.S. military personnel and civilians, marking Japan's entry into World War II. The war's end came after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, killing an estimated 214,000 people and leading to Japan's unconditional surrender.
In the decades since, both nations have worked to move past the conflict, forging a strong alliance. In 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Pearl Harbor to offer condolences, while then-U.S. President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima, emphasizing reconciliation.
Japanese public response
Reactions in Japan to Trump's remark were mixed. Yuta Nakamura, a 33-year-old engineer, told Reuters that Takaichi had been placed in "a very difficult situation" but praised her for "avoiding upsetting Trump." Tokio Washino, a retiree, expressed discomfort, saying the historical reference made him "feel a bit uneasy as a Japanese citizen."
Broader agenda of the visit
Takaichi's visit had been anticipated as challenging due to Japan's reluctance to join U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route closed by Iran in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes. Before the meeting, Japan joined six other nations in pledging support for "safe passage" through the strait, though specifics were not provided.
Takaichi later briefed reporters on Japan's legal constraints regarding potential contributions. Trump, however, described the two nations as "friends" and vaguely commended Tokyo for "really stepping up to the plate." The strait's closure has driven global oil prices sharply higher, as it handles roughly 20% of the world's oil supply.
