It’s official: President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba really like each other.

The leaders couldn’t stop gushing about each other during a press conference Friday at the White House. The visit was among Mr. Trump’s first major meetings with allies and focused on Japanese investments in the U.S. and security in East Asia.

“On television, he is frightening, and he has a very strong personality,” Mr. Ishiba said. “When I met with him, actually, he was very sincere and very powerful, and with strong will for the United States — as for the whole world. I was able to feel that.”

Mr. Ishiba said he was not trying to “suck up” to Mr. Trump but give an honest evaluation.

Mr. Trump was quick to return the favor.

“I think that he is going to be a great prime minister,” Mr. Trump said. “I think he is a strong man, very, very strong.”

Mr. Trump has touted Japanese investments in the U.S. but opposed a proposed takeover by Nippon Steel, a Japanese company, of U.S. Steel, an iconic American company. He said during the press conference that Nippon Steel is planning a significant investment in the company instead of a purchase.

Mr. Trump famously had a close relationship with former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who served from 2012 to 2020 and was assassinated in 2022.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.