Trump's Pearl Harbor Reference Embarrasses Japan

0:00I'm Kori with the story, bringing you the latest from around the world. Japanese Prime Minister Sennayi Takaiichi met with President Trump in Washington to strengthen their nation's alliance, but the talks took an awkward turn. Trump referenced the Pearl Harbor attack while defending his recent moves against Iran, catching many in Japan off guard and sparking embarrassment. Takaiichi's visit came amid regional tensions, including calls for help securing the Strait of Hormuz. As a conservative leader, she has pushed back on repeated war apologies and even hinted at visiting Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, which honors war dead. Including criminals. Reactions poured in from Japanese media and social platforms with some labeling Trump's words, rude or ignorant and urging a formal protest. Experts saw it as a sign he's unbound by usual diplomacy, while others felt it dragged Japan into justifying surprise actions. Takaiichi drew mixed reviews herself, praised for staying composed with Justin Iroh, but

1:02criticized by some for not pushing back or treating Trump as an equal partner. A reporter who sparked the exchange also faced initial backlash online. Both countries rely heavily on each other, with Japan hosting 50,000 American troops and leaning on the U.S. defense shield against nearby threats. Leaders aim to keep ties strong, building on past gestures like joint visits to Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima sites.