President Trump is set to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the White House on Thursday, as his nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, advances in the confirmation process.
Trump previously endorsed Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister and a staunch conservative. Last month, she moved to dissolve Japan’s lower house of Parliament in an effort to strengthen her Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the February 8 elections.
The two leaders last met in October during Trump’s trip to Asia.
Their meeting comes as the Trump administration increases pressure on allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and ensure the continued flow of oil amid ongoing tensions with Iran. Trump is also expected to host Takaichi for a formal dinner Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, back in Washington, Mullin cleared his first major hurdle in the Senate. His nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security narrowly advanced out of committee Thursday morning with an 8–7 vote, aided by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.
Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, needed only a simple majority to move forward. His nomination now heads to the full Senate, where a final confirmation vote could take place as early as next week.
