On February 5, US President Donald Trump posted on social media that he looks forward to meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae at the White House on March 19.

He revealed plans for the bilateral summit in Washington just as the House of Representatives election was underway in Japan, with voting day set for February 8.

In his post, Trump also mentioned the lower house election, saying its results are “very important to the future of Japan.”

He went on to praise Takaichi as “someone who deserves powerful recognition” and offered his “complete and total endorsement” of the Japanese leader and her coalition government.

It is unusual for a US president to express support for a specific candidate or party during a Japanese election period.