Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi nominates U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his global peace efforts and regional diplomacy.
TheInterviewTimes.com | Tokyo | October 28, 2025 — In a diplomatic development that has drawn global attention, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his recent peace-brokering initiatives and efforts to strengthen global stability.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Takaichi informed Trump of the nomination during their bilateral meeting at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. The discussions centered on deepening U.S.-Japan cooperation in defense, trade, and critical minerals.
Takaichi lauded Trump’s international diplomacy, declaring, “In such a short period of time, the world started to enjoy more peace.” She credited the U.S. president for helping broker ceasefires in Thailand and Cambodia, as well as facilitating a truce between Israel and Palestinian armed groups, which she described as “an unprecedented, historic achievement.”
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Global Endorsements for Trump’s Peace Efforts
Takaichi’s nomination adds to a growing list of international endorsements. Leaders from Israel, Pakistan, Cambodia, Thailand, and Gabon have also publicly supported Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize candidacy, citing his mediation in conflicts across Asia and Africa.
Among the highlighted achievements are Trump’s diplomatic interventions in the Rwanda–Democratic Republic of Congo conflict and his efforts to promote regional peace dialogues since returning to office in January 2025.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded earlier this month to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who notably dedicated her prize to Trump, praising his “unrelenting pursuit of global peace.”
Symbolism and Strengthened U.S.-Japan Ties
During their meeting, Takaichi — Japan’s first female prime minister and a political protégé of the late Shinzo Abe — presented Trump with one of Abe’s golf clubs as a gesture symbolizing continuity in U.S.-Japan relations.
Trump reciprocated the goodwill, congratulating Takaichi on her historic appointment and predicting she would be “one of the great prime ministers.”
The two leaders signed a framework agreement on critical minerals, including rare earth elements, aimed at reducing dependency on Chinese supply chains. They also reviewed progress on the U.S.-Japan trade deal and discussed Japan’s plan to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP, with Trump commending Tokyo’s purchase of advanced U.S. defense systems.
“A Golden Age” of Partnership
Takaichi described the alliance as entering a “golden age” and pledged to “fundamentally reinforce” Japan’s self-defense capabilities amid rising regional tensions with China. The talks followed Trump’s address to U.S. troops stationed in Japan, where he reaffirmed America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN! 🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 28, 2025
President Trump arrives to deliver remarks to U.S. troops aboard USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base. pic.twitter.com/0T7v19jxit
However, the move to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize has stirred debate within Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). While some members criticized the nomination as “excessive flattery,” LDP supporter Ken Kato defended it as a “standard diplomatic gesture.”
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Nobel Process and Next Steps
Under Nobel Committee rules, peace prize nominations remain confidential for 50 years, though many are disclosed publicly. The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize recipient will be announced in October next year.
Trump’s ongoing Asia tour will next take him to South Korea, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for trilateral discussions on regional security and trade stability.