This Japanese reporter is probably rethinking their question! On Thursday afternoon, President Trump sat down with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss U.S.-Japan relations. At the end of the meeting, President Trump opened up their meeting to the press, and President Trump was asked by one reporter why he didn’t inform Japan that the U.S. was going to attack Iran. Trump jokingly replied, “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?” The Independent reported more details on Trump’s joke: Just over 83 years ago, President Franklin Roosevelt called the Imperial Japanese Navy’s December 7. 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor “a date that will live in infamy” as he urged Congress to declare war. On Thursday, President Donald Trump turned it into a punchline. Trump was finishing up a question-and-answer session with reporters during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi when a Japanese journalist asked why he did not inform key American allies — such as Japan — before the start of the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran on February 28. The president initially replied that the U.S. had “went in very hard” and “didn’t tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise.” But his response took an awkward turn moments later when he said: “Who knows better about surprise than Japan?” After some muted laughter from the U.S. officials who’d joined him for the meeting, he turned to Sanae — who was born two decades after the attack — to ask her another question. “Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor, ok?” Here’s the moment Trump said it: Q: "Why didn't you tell U.S. allies…about the war before attacking Iran?" TRUMP: "We wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" pic.twitter.com/4Q8VQPn7tM — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 19, 2026 Another angle: Reporter: Why didn’t you inform allies before attacking Iran? Trump: We wanted surprise—who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor? pic.twitter.com/D6PXh0enRk — The Daily News (@DailyNewsJustIn) March 19, 2026 CNN reported more on the meeting between the two leaders: President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House today that he’s pleased with the level of backing he’s seen from Japan on US military actions in Iran. He contrasted it with European allies, who have been less vocally supportive during the spiraling conflict. “We’ve had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything,” Trump told reporters during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. “And I believe that, based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate, yes.” He then added a quick aside: “Unlike NATO.” Earlier Thursday, a group of European nations and Japan issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that they are ready to contribute to “appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.” Trump has criticized the NATO alliance for not fully backing the administration’s efforts in Iran, telling reporters Tuesday he believes the defensive alliance is “making a very foolish mistake.” Later, the president said he expected Japan to “step up,” citing the nation’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for oil imports. President Trump seems to support Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Make sure to read to find out why: https://wltreport.com/2026/03/19/watch-japans-prime-minister-sanae-takaichi-gives-president/