Just as President Donald Trump claimed last week, Japan’s Prime Minister did nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize—following a request from the White House—according to a report by one of Japan’s largest newspapers on Sunday.
During a news conference on Friday, Trump stated that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had given him a copy of a five-page letter sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which selects the Peace Prize laureates.
Referring to Abe, Trump said, “He told me, ‘I have nominated you, respectfully, on behalf of Japan. I am asking them to give you the Nobel Peace Prize.’ I said, ‘Thank you.'”
According to Asahi Shimbun, a leading Japanese newspaper, multiple government sources confirmed that the U.S. government had “informally” requested Japan to nominate Trump after his historic meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore last year.
During a parliamentary session on Monday, Abe declined to comment on the report, citing the Nobel Committee’s rule that nominations remain confidential for 50 years. However, he added, “I’m not saying it’s not true.”
Later, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga also refrained from commenting, stating, “The Nobel Committee does not disclose the identities of nominators or nominees for 50 years. Based on this, I would like to refrain from making any statements.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Japan’s Close Ties with Trump
Abe has been one of Trump’s strongest supporters among world leaders, particularly backing his “maximum pressure” campaign against North Korea.
As early as November 17, 2016—just nine days after Trump’s election victory—Abe expressed confidence in his leadership, calling him “a leader with whom I can have great confidence.”
The two leaders have maintained a friendly public relationship. In November 2017, during a press conference in Tokyo, they exchanged jokes, showcasing their close ties.
In April 2018, Abe made the rare diplomatic move of addressing Trump by his first name while thanking the U.S. for its efforts to help release Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea. “Donald, you demonstrated your unwavering determination in addressing the challenge,” Abe stated.
Additionally, South Korean President Moon Jae-in suggested in April 2018 that Trump deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear weapons crisis.
Contributors
Alex Johnson – NBC News reporter and editor since 2000, formerly with The Charlotte Observer, Congressional Quarterly, Knight-Ridder, and The Washington Post.
Arata Yamamoto – NBC News producer in Tokyo since 1993.
Hallie Jackson also contributed to this report.