Trump Welcomes Takaichi on Presidential Helicopter

このページを日本語で読む

On October 28, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rode aboard Marine One, the United States' helicopter carrying US President Donald Trump. They traveled to Yokosuka Port in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington is docked.

Marine One holds special significance for Trump. The late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also used the helicopter during Japan–US summits. For Trump, it is a vehicle filled with memories of his close friend.

The name Marine One comes from the call sign assigned to any US Marine Corps helicopter when the president is on board. Several helicopter models are used. All feature spacious interiors that can accommodate more than ten passengers.

The cabins are well soundproofed, so passengers can speak at normal volume. From the US perspective, the ride offers a private, symbolic space for Trump to build rapport with Takaichi, whom Abe considered a trusted political ally.

*US presidential helicopters fly in formation near the Tokyo Skytree on the afternoon of October 28 in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)*

Security Measures

Abe himself rode Marine One after his first summit with Trump in February 2017, during Trump's first term, traveling to an Air Force base near the White House. He also used the helicopter in November of the same year to reach a golf course in Kawagoe, Saitama, during Trump's visit to Japan.

Marine One is mainly used for short-distance travel. Because it carries the most important VIPs, extensive safety measures are in place, including protection against nuclear explosions. During flight, it is often accompanied by decoy helicopters. They frequently swap positions, making it difficult to identify which helicopter actually carries the president.

*US military helicopter carrying President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi heads toward the US Yokosuka Naval Base. (©Reuters)*

A Symbol of the Presidency

The first US president to use a military helicopter for short trips was Dwight D Eisenhower in 1957. Since 1976, the Marine Corps has exclusively managed Marine One, and it has become a symbol of the presidency.

In December 2017, during his first term, Trump told reporters, "I remember the first time I got on Marine One [...] I'm very proud of our country when I got that first flight and every time I get on it." For Trump, Marine One is not just a presidential tool — it is also a source of patriotic inspiration.