Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the White House on Thursday.Image: keystone
March 19, 2026, 7:10 p.mMar 19, 2026, 7:11 p.m
US President Donald Trump irritated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with a historical comparison to Pearl Harbor. During her visit to the White House, Trump spoke about how the United States had used the element of surprise when attacking Iran. “Who knows surprises better than Japan,” Trump asked, causing laughter in the room.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor,” Trump asked the Japanese. He believes that Japan relies much more on surprises than the USA. Takaichi then sat up in her chair, visibly tense, and looked in the direction of her delegation with wide eyes.
Japan bombed the US base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. More than 2,400 people died in the surprise attack. The USA then entered World War II. (hkl/sda/dpa)