Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is set to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration for his second term as U.S. president on January 20, according to a report by Japan’s Nikkei newspaper on Friday.
The report, citing a Japanese foreign ministry source, highlighted that Iwaya would be the first Japanese cabinet member to attend a U.S. presidential swearing-in ceremony, attending at the invitation of Trump’s team.
Japan’s embassy in Washington and representatives from Trump’s inauguration team have not yet commented on the matter. The Nikkei noted that Trump’s team is expected to invite officials from other allied and like-minded nations, paving the way for potential meetings between foreign ministers on the sidelines of the event. Among these, Tokyo is reportedly working to arrange a meeting between Iwaya and Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State.
This will mark Iwaya’s first visit to the U.S. since assuming his role as foreign minister in October. As a longstanding U.S. ally with strong ties during Trump’s first term, Japan aims to ensure a smooth start to relations in his second administration.
Before traveling to the U.S., Iwaya will visit South Korea on Monday to strengthen trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and South Korea, particularly to counter China’s rising influence in the region. However, political instability in South Korea following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol could complicate these efforts, which had been actively promoted by the outgoing Biden administration.
Iwaya’s itinerary also includes trips to the Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, and Palau, a Pacific island nation reliant on Washington for defense and economic support.
Separately, the Financial Times reported on Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to send a high-ranking envoy to Trump’s inauguration. Potential candidates include Vice President Han Zheng, who often represents Xi in ceremonial capacities, or Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
