Donald Trump has endorsed Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a snap election in her country on Sunday. Takaichi has 'already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise leader... one that truly loves her country,' the US president wrote in a Truth Social post on Thursday, adding: 'She will not let the people of Japan down!' While it is rare for US presidents to publicly back candidates in foreign elections, Trump has done so before, endorsing Argentina's Javier Milei and Hungary's Viktor Orban most recently. Takaichi has courted the US president as Tokyo seeks more stability in its relationship with Washington, its closest ally, in the wake of Trump's tariffs. Trump had threatened a 25% tariff initially, but Japan then struck a deal in July to invest $550bn in the US. In exchange, Washington lowered import levies to 15%. Takaichi, 64, became PM in October after she won the leadership race in her party and secured enough support in parliament. But she called for an last month election to seek a public mandate. Just one week after she took office, Tokyo rolled out the red carpet for Trump, deploying a full military guard of honour and band to welcome him at the Akasaka Palace, the government's state guesthouse. The optics were striking: Takaichi aboard the USS George Washington, fists pumping as the US president praised her in front of thousands of US soldiers. She sought to portray herself as a leader Trump can and wants to do business with, and someone he connects with personally. The two leaders see eye-to-eye on defence, with Trump wanting Japan to spend more on its own security, a sentiment echoed by Takaichi as Japan considers increasing its defence budget. At their initial meeting, they signed a deal on rare earths and heralded a new 'golden age' of US-Japan relations. Trump's endorsement carries significance, particularly with China, as Beijing and Tokyo navigate a diplomatic rift, now at its lowest point in over a decade. Polls predict a strong lead for Takaichi, but her leadership will ultimately hinge on economic management and international relations.