President Donald Trump referenced Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during a Thursday meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in the Oval Office, when asked by reporters about U.S. military operations against Iran.

When questioned about why the United States did not share advance notice of recent strikes on Iran with Japan, Trump cited the need for operational secrecy. "It was necessary for the element of surprise," the president said, according to multiple reports.

Trump then added: "Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?" The comment appeared to reference Japan's December 7, 1941 surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, which killed over 2,400 Americans and brought the United States into World War II.

The exchange occurred as Trump discussed what he termed "Operation Epic Fury," referring to recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iranian targets. The president was meeting with Takaichi to discuss bilateral relations between the two longtime allies.

Reports indicated that the Japanese prime minister appeared surprised by the Pearl Harbor reference, with observers noting her visible reaction during the exchange in the Oval Office.

The meeting comes as both countries coordinate responses to regional security challenges, with Japan serving as a key U.S. ally in the Indo-Pacific region despite the historical tensions referenced in Trump's remarks.