Japan's leader at White House; may face Trump call for Iran help

By Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON, March 19 (Reuters) - Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived at the White House on Thursday for a summit at which U.S. President Donald Trump may press her for help in the war on Iran, creating a potentially awkward situation as Tokyo weighs what support it can give.

Trump has lashed out at allies for their lukewarm support for the U.S.-Israeli military campaign and said the U.S. doesn't need any help. However, he is still pushing for more ships to clear mines and escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, largely closed by Iran in the conflict.

Ahead of the meeting, Japan joined leading nations in Europe in a joint statement, saying they would take steps to stabilize energy markets and were ready to join "appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the Strait.

Takaichi's long-scheduled White House visit has been aimed at burnishing the decades-old security and economic partnership between Washington and its closest East Asian ally.

Takaichi has sought to move Japan away from a pacifist constitution imposed by Washington after World War Two, but with the Iran war unpopular at home, she has so far not offered to assist in clearing the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would expect that Japan, which gets 95% of its crude oil supplies from the Gulf, would want to ensure its supplies are safe.

Bessent told Fox Business Network Japan's navy has some of the best minesweepers and mine-detection capabilities and the country has a large petroleum reserve. He said he believed Japan would release more of that reserve to supply the strained oil market.

"So I think we're going to have a very good discussion with the prime minister. President Trump has an excellent relationship with her," Bessent said.

Takaichi told the Japanese parliament on Monday that Japan had received no official request from the United States on Iran but was checking the scope of possible action within the limits of its constitution.

Shortly before heading to Washington, Takaichi posted on X that she would discuss "the increasingly tense situation surrounding Iran.” She also said she would "confirm with President Trump the unwavering bond between Japan and the United States and further promote cooperation across a wide range of areas, such as security and the economy."