• Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi has announced her plan to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
• The nomination has sparked criticism within Japan regarding its legitimacy and motives.
• Takaichi praised Trump's leadership during a meeting, highlighting his role in international peace efforts.
• Experts question the credibility of Trump’s claims about achieving peace globally.
• The move is part of a broader strategy by world leaders to gain favor with Trump.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, a move announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt following their meeting in Tokyo. During this encounter, Takaichi expressed her admiration for Trump, stating, "In such a short period of time the world started to enjoy more peace," despite the ongoing conflicts in places like Gaza and Ukraine. This announcement, however, has drawn significant criticism within Japan, with some viewing it as excessive flattery rather than a genuine acknowledgment of Trump's contributions to peace, according to South China Morning Post, India Times, and The Hill.

The decision to nominate Trump has been labeled by critics as a way to "curry favor" with the US, raising questions about the sincerity behind Takaichi's gesture. Critics highlighted that nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize is ill-timed given the current global conflicts, asserting that he has not secured any meaningful peace. Some Japanese citizens have expressed their discontent on social media, labeling the nomination as "humiliating" and arguing that Takaichi is compromising Japan's dignity to please the US, as reported by South China Morning Post and The Hill.

Despite the backlash, Takaichi remains firm in her stance, emphasizing Trump’s role in fostering diplomatic relations and peace negotiations. At their meeting, she invoked the legacy of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was known for his close ties with Trump, suggesting that Takaichi's actions are rooted in historical diplomatic relationships. This nomination is seen as part of a broader trend where several world leaders, including prime ministers from Cambodia and Israel, have also nominated Trump for the prize in an effort to stay aligned with his administration, according to India Times and The Hill.