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US Treasury’s Bessent calls Japan’s Takaichi a ‘great ally’

By Thomson Reuters Feb 8, 2026 | 9:37 AM

WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (Reuters) – U.S. Treasury Secretary ‍Scott Bessent praised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as ‌a great ‌ally after her ruling coalition’s landslide election victory on Sunday, ​noting her endorsement ‍by President ​Donald Trump.

“She ​is a ‍great ally, great relationship with the president,” Bessent said in ‍an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning ‍Futures” ‍program. “And ​when Japan ​is ⁠strong, the U.S. ‌is strong in Asia.”

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Paul ⁠Simao)