Trump endorses Japanese PM Takaichi in upcoming parliamentary election

US President Donald Trump gave his "total endorsement" of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of a national election there on Sunday. Trump added he would meet her at the White House on March 19th.

Trump said "Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing."

He said "as President of the United States of America, it is my honour to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing."

However, Trump who is seeking to maintain a fragile trade truce with China, has reportedly asked Takaichi not to further aggravate Beijing.

Japan's first female premier, whose coalition is widely expected to win, is seeking a public mandate for spending plans that have rattled investors, and a defence build-up that could further strain relations with China.