{
  "id": 9891896,
  "title": "Will the Trump-Xi wartime ally nostalgia prompt a Japanese rethink on China ties?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/will-the-trump-xi-wartime-ally-nostalgia-prompt-a-japanese-rethink-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T03:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368878/will-trump-xi-wartime-ally-nostalgia-prompt-japanese-rethink-china-ties"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly attempting to arrange a phone call with former US President Donald Trump, following the latter's recent nostalgic references to the wartime alliance between the United States and China. Trump's comments, made during his state visit to China's President Xi Jinping at the White House, reignited concerns in Tokyo. Both leaders repeatedly invoked the shared history as allies against Japan during World War II, a reference that unsettled the Japanese government. Takaichi, despite declining to comment directly on the summit, hastened her address to the United Nations General Assembly to secure a meeting with Trump. Japanese analysts warned that this nostalgic reference could spell trouble for Japan's relationship with China. Experts cautioned against interpreting Trump's remarks too broadly, noting that they were made in the context of the US-China relationship. Nonetheless, they expressed concern that China might exploit the amicable atmosphere to their advantage. Japanese officials have been working to maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing, with several delegations visiting China to understand their perspectives. Another delegation, led by former Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, is set to visit China soon. Despite the concerns, analysts believe the single statement is unlikely to significantly weaken the US-Japan alliance. However, the focus is on whether Washington and Beijing will use this shared historical reference to deepen their ties or to further strain relations.",
  "summary": "Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly trying to arrange a phone call with Donald Trump following the US president’s nostalgic invocation of the alliance with China during World War II, references that sent shock waves through Tokyo. Trump made the references as he welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Thursday for his first state visit to Washington in over a…",
  "key_points": [
    "Japanese PM seeks Trump call over WWII ally nostalgia",
    "Trump's remarks on US-China alliance worry Tokyo",
    "Analysts caution China may exploit situation"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The US-China nostalgia expressed by Trump and Xi unsettles Tokyo, prompting Japan to re-examine its China ties and hasten diplomatic efforts to maintain its relationships with both Beijing and Washington.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Will the Trump-Xi wartime ally nostalgia prompt a Japanese rethink on China ties?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/will-the-trump-xi-wartime-ally-nostalgia-prompt-a-japanese-rethink-on-9897411",
        "published": "2026-09-26T03:00:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}