In this week’s news roundup, we report on Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Washington. The Japanese prime minister looked visibly startled after President Donald Trump made a joke about Pearl Harbor. Also this week, Kokuho dominates the Japan Academy Film Prize. And Japan exits the 2026 World Baseball Classic at the quarterfinal stage.
Trump Compares Attack on Iran to Pearl Harbor
On Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump met in the Oval Office. During the bilateral meeting, a Japanese reporter asked Trump why US allies in Europe and Asia, including Japan, had not been informed in advance of the attack on Iran. His response left Takaichi visibly startled as her eyes widened, and she shifted in her chair.
“One thing you don’t want to signal too much, you know, when we go in, we went in very hard, and we didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise,” he said. “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” As the room laughed, he then added, “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?”
Image: Wikimedia
Takaichi Says Only Trump Can ‘Achieve Peace Across the World’
In her opening remarks, Takaichi condemned Iran for “attacks in the region” and what she described as “the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.” She also described its development of nuclear weapons as “unacceptable.” Takaichi went on to talk about her concerns regarding the war while also praising President Trump.
“The global economy is about to experience a huge hit because of this development,” she told reporters. “But even against such a backdrop, I firmly believe that it is only you, Donald, that can achieve peace across the world.” Trump returned the compliment, stating, “We’ve had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything.”
Donald Trump during a presidential visit to Tokyo in October 2025 | Shutterstock
Trump Slams NATO, Japan and Allies, Drops Request for Warships
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform urging Japan and other countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help secure the key Middle Eastern shipping route. By Tuesday, he’d changed his mind. He criticized US allies, especially NATO members, saying, “We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us.”
He added that because the US has had such military success, it no longer requires the assistance of NATO members. “WE NEVER DID,” he said. “Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea. In fact, speaking as President of the United States of America, by far the Most Powerful Country Anywhere in the World, WE DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF ANYONE!”
Osaka High Court Rejects Bid To Reinstate Aoba’s Appeal in Kyoto Animation Arson Case
In January 2025, Shinji Aoba dropped his appeal against the death sentence he received for the 2019 deadly arson attack on Kyoto Animation Co. studio. On Tuesday, the Osaka High Court rejected the defense team’s petition to invalidate that withdrawal. Presiding Judge Hisashi Ito said that Aoba clearly understood the meaning of his decision.
The defendant was sentenced to death in 2024 for killing 36 people at the famed animation studio. He admitted starting the fire there. The trial’s focus was whether he should have been held criminally responsible for his actions; his defense argued that he was mentally ill at the time of the attack.
© SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP ©2025 “KOKUHO” FILM PARTNERS
Kokuho Dominates Japan Academy Film Prize With 10 Awards
Director Lee Sang-il’s kabuki movie Kokuho dominated the Japan Academy Film Prize on Friday, winning 10 awards including Best Picture. It triumphed over Hero’s Island, Suzuki=Bakudan, First Kiss and Tokyo Taxi for the main prize. Lee picked up the Best Director award, while Ryo Yoshizawa, who plays the protagonist in the film, was named Best Actor.
The Best Actress gong went to Chieko Baisho for her role as Sumire in Tokyo Taxi. Misato Morita (Night Flower) won the Best Supporting Actress award, while Jiro Sato (Suzuki=Bakudan) took home the Best Supporting Actor prize. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle claimed Best Animation Film, while Conclave was named Best Foreign Language Film.
Ibata To Step Down After Japan’s WBC Quarterfinal Exit
Hirokazu Ibata announced his intention to resign as Japan’s baseball manager following the team’s disappointing quarterfinal defeat at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) over the weekend. The defending champions were defeated 8-5 by eventual winners Venezuela. It’s the first time Japan has failed to reach the semifinals since the tournament began in 2006.
Ibata’s side led 5-2 at the end of the fourth inning following home runs by Shohei Ohtani and Shota Morishita. A two-run homer from infielder Maikel Garcia made it 5-4, before right fielder Wilyer Abreu crushed a go-ahead three-run shot in the sixth. Daniel Palencia closed out the game for Venezuela, who defeated the US 3-2 in the final.
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Updated On March 20, 2026
