Leaders of US and Japan in Awkward Meeting: Trump Compares Action Against Iran to Pearl Harbor, Claims No One Understands "Sneak Attack" Better Than Japan

On March 19, U.S. President Trump met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Yoshimura at the White House. During a joint press conference, Trump defended the large-scale military action the U.S. launched against Iran, comparing the U.S. attack on Iran to Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, and also claimed that Japan is the most knowledgeable about “surprise attacks,” causing an awkward moment on site.

Trump: No one knows “surprise attacks” better than Japan

When asked by a reporter why Japan and other allies were not informed in advance about the war plans against Iran, Trump said, “We want to surprise them. And who knows surprise attacks better than Japan? Why don’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?” Trump also said that no one understands “surprise attacks” better than Japan.

As he said this, the scene erupted in laughter. Sitting nearby, Sanae Yoshimura widened her eyes, shifted slightly in her seat, and tried to maintain a smile.

On March 19, President Trump met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Yoshimura at the White House. Photo by AFP.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese military launched a surprise attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, destroying and heavily damaging several U.S. warships and over a hundred aircraft, resulting in about 2,400 American deaths. The next day, the U.S. declared war on Japan, and the Pacific War began. This event was called “national shame” by then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and remains a painful memory for Americans.

On February 26, Iran and the U.S. held their third round of indirect talks in Geneva, Switzerland, which did not result in an agreement but received positive evaluations from all parties. They announced plans to continue technical discussions on March 2 in Vienna, Austria. However, on February 28, Israel and the U.S. suddenly launched a large-scale airstrike against Iran, killing Iran’s then-top leader Khamenei and several senior military and political officials. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.

U.S. requests Yoshimura to support Iran-related military actions

Trump stated that the two sides would discuss many issues including trade and energy, as well as Japan’s support for U.S. military actions against Iran.

During the media open session of the meeting, Trump expressed satisfaction with Japan’s support in the Iran conflict and contrasted Japan with European allies, saying Japan “really stepped up” and “unlike NATO.” However, he did not provide specific details.

On March 19, President Trump met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Yoshimura at the White House. Photo by AFP.

Recently, Trump has been urging European countries and other allies to participate in escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, complaining that some allies are not enthusiastic about assisting the U.S… On the 17th, he posted on social media that most NATO allies have informed the U.S. that they are unwilling to participate in military actions against Iran, and that the U.S. has “no longer need or expect” help from NATO countries.

Yoshimura said the meeting would particularly focus on economic security cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in key areas such as energy and rare earths. She also brought specific suggestions to stabilize global energy markets.

According to Kyodo News, after the meeting, Japan and the U.S. announced commercial cooperation projects worth a total of $73 billion, which is part of Japan’s $550 billion investment plan promised to gain U.S. tariff reductions.

This was Yoshimura’s first visit to the U.S. since becoming Japan’s Prime Minister in October 2025. Kyodo News reported that her main goal was to strengthen personal relations with Trump.

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(Source: Xinhua News Agency)