(3rd LD) Trump calls on Japan to 'step up' as U.S. seeks to keep Strait of Hormuz open

▲ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026, in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

▲ President Donald Trump speaks with Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 19, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

(3rd LD) US-Japan-summit

(3rd LD) Trump calls on Japan to 'step up' as U.S. seeks to keep Strait of Hormuz open

(ATTN: ADDS more info in para 17)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday expressed his expectation for Japan to "step up" to support the United States, as the U.S. military strives to keep the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, open amid the ongoing war against Iran.

Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the White House, noting that Japan relies heavily on the waterway for its energy imports, and that the U.S. has provided defense support to the Asian country with thousands of American troops stationed there.

The U.S.-Israel-Iran war has effectively choked off the Strait of Hormuz, escalating concerns over its impact on oil prices and inflation. The waterway is responsible for about a fifth of the world's oil supply.

"I expect Japan to step up because ... we have that kind of relationship, and we step up in Japan. We have 45,000 soldiers in Japan. We spent a lot of money on Japan," he said. "I am not surprised that they would step up."

He did not elaborate on how Japan can help the U.S.

Trump also reiterated that Japan gets more than 90 percent of its oil through the strait.

"That's a big reason to step up," he said, noting that the U.S. does not need anything from Japan or anyone else.

On Saturday, Trump called for South Korea, Japan, France, Britain and other countries, which are affected by Iran's attempt to close the strait, to send ships to help secure the waterway. But days later, he said the U.S. no longer needs their naval assistance, in an apparent show of discomfort over their perceived reluctance.

During the meeting, Trump and Takaichi put up a united front against Iran's nuclear ambitions, its strikes along the Strait of Hormuz and on its neighboring countries during the war.

"Speaking of the situation in Iran, Iran's development of nuclear weapons must never be allowed, and that is why we, Japan, have been urging them and also reaching out to other partners in the world," Takaichi said through an interpreter.

"In addition, Japan condemns Iran's actions, such as attacking neighboring countries and also the de facto or effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz."

The prime minister also said that she firmly believes that Trump is the only leader who can achieve peace across the world, as she pointed to a "very severe" global security environment.

Touching on China, she underscored that Tokyo has "consistently" been open to dialogue with Beijing, and that it has been managing relations with China "in a calm manner."

Relations between China and Japan have been frayed after Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, which China regards as part of its territory, and Beijing's subsequent responses to them, including economic and military pressure.

"My sincere hope is that the relationship will be something conducive to regional security while also ensuring the global supply chain," she said.

During the meeting, Trump vowed to take "whatever is necessary" to bring down oil prices, amid deepening concerns over the economic repercussions of the war in the Middle East.

His remarks came hours after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business that the U.S. may "unsanction" Iranian oil, which is already at sea, to help stabilize energy prices. He said the amount of oil in question is about 140 million barrels.

Oil prices surged Thursday as Iran launched strikes on energy facilities across the Middle East, with Trump having threatened to "blow up" Iran's South Pars gas field the previous day if Tehran targets Qatar's energy facilities again.

Asked if he plans to deploy more troops to the Middle East to support the military operation against Iran, Trump said, "No."

"I am not putting troops anywhere," he said. "If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you, but I am not putting troops."

Touching on Kharg Island, where 90 percent of Iran's oil exports are processed, Trump said the U.S. can "take out the island anytime we want."

"We've taken out everything but the pipes (on the island)," he said. "We left the pipes because to rebuild the pipes would take years."

Responding to a reporter's question about why the U.S. did not inform allies in advance of the attack on Iran, Trump said that the U.S. wanted "surprise." He also brought up the bitter memory of Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

"Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" Trump said.

Commenting on his delayed trip to China, Trump said that it has been postponed for "about a month and a half." Trump was initially expected to visit China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping from March 31 to April 2.

"It's been reset, and we look forward to it," he said.

During their talks, Trump and Takaichi discussed bilateral cooperation on trade, critical mineral supply chains and defense, among other issues.

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