{
  "id": 9551774,
  "title": "Red carpet vs empty tarmac: Xi’s US welcome fuels debate over Takaichi’s no-show reception",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/red-carpet-vs-empty-tarmac-xis-us-welcome-fuels-debate-over-takaichis",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T12:20:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368696/red-carpet-vs-empty-tarmac-xis-us-welcome-fuels-debate-over-takaichis-no-show-reception"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two very different receptions awaited Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the United States earlier this week, sparking a heated online debate about American treatment of Tokyo. Takaichi commenced a trip to the US with a visit to the United Nations General Assembly, her first such appearance as Japan's prime minister. A photograph of her arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport showed her waving across an empty tarmac, with no senior US officials present to greet her. In stark contrast, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were met at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland two days later by US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, along with a 21-gun salute, a 100-foot red carpet, and a 21-person honor cordon. The very public contrast between the two receptions has prompted discussion over Washington's handling of its key ally. Japan's former minister of internal affairs and communications, Kazuhiro Haraguchi, took to social media to question whether Tokyo's political presence in the US has diminished as the nation's national power has declined. Critics argue that Takaichi's recent trip could undermine Japan's economic interests, particularly after her controversial remarks about Taiwan. Despite seeking a closer relationship with Trump, Takaichi has faced criticism for her handling of the situation, with some suggesting her visit may have dealt a blow to bilateral ties with Tokyo.",
  "summary": "Starkly contrasting receptions for the Japanese leader and the Chinese president in the United States have sparked debate over Washington’s treatment of Tokyo as an ally. Sanae Takaichi arrived in New York at the start of the working week, beginning a trip where she addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time as the country’s prime minister. A photo taken on her arrival shows…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "Red carpet vs empty tarmac: Xi’s US welcome fuels debate over Takaichi’s no-show reception",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/red-carpet-vs-empty-tarmac-xis-us-welcome-fuels-debate-over-takaichis-9552674",
        "published": "2026-09-24T12:20:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}