‘Trump Study Session’: How Japan PM’s homework paid

If Japan was required to be assured, it was really still in America’s top ally and friends rapidly unstable Asia-Pacific, it was found and then something.

But what was striking about Trump-Ishiba meeting at the White House, which did not happen.

Unlike most of Trump’s domestic and global mobility, it was neither controversial nor conflict.

“On television, he is very frightening,” Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters after Friday’s meeting.

“But when I met him, he was very honest, very powerful and strong will,” he said.

There is a lot that connects Washington and Tokyo. Japan has been the top foreign investor in the US for five consecutive years, which created thousands of jobs. And 54,000 American military personnel are deployed in Japan.

But President Donald Trump has given a lot to worry to his friends and enemies: from China, Canada and Mexico, from tariff wars to “ownership” of the offer Ban against International Criminal Court,

Jeffrey Hall, lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, Japan’s Kanda University of International Studies, said, “Trump has taken some uncertain decisions towards countries who considered themselves friends of America.”

He said, “There was a fear in Tokyo that this could happen: Trump may slap a huge tariff on Japan or start some controversy. But it did not happen,” he said.

While Trump did not deny tariffs against Tokyo, this was not the main feature of this meeting.

The Eybala was ready for Washington. He studied. Lellular. He held a “study session” with employees and sought advice from his predecessor, Fumio Kishida.

He also got some help from the widow of late former former PM Shinzo Abe, who had a close relationship with Trump during the first presidential post, forged on the golf course.

Issaba’s homework paid.

Also when Trump accidentally referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there were no many eye -raising moments like many other announcements by the US President.

In fact – as far as Japan is concerned – this meeting was confident.

The two leaders met eye-to-eye on the plans of their countries to start trade and defense in the “Golden-era” of Japan-US relations.

ISIBA announced to increase its country’s plans to $ 1TN (£ 806BN) to increase investment in the US, unbalanced to trade relations in the form of two economic powers.

Ishiba said Japanese car manufacturers would promote investment, while Tokyo would expand the import of American liquided natural gas (LNG).

This promotes the announcement of his “drill, baby, drill” from music for Trump’s ears and his inaugural speech.

Both people also managed to find common land on the controversial issue of Nippon Steel.

Trump said Nippon will “invest” without majority stake in Pennsylvania -based US Steel.

The Japanese firm’s attempt to acquire US Steel was blocked by the first President Joe Biden on national security basis.

Enough boxes for Japan breathed easy breathing – but the main objective of Ishiba’s visit was individual.

Japanese PM is in a terrible political situation at home – keep a weak hold on power with your minority government after this. He was humiliated in October general elections when he lost his ruling majority,

The Isaba was desperate for a victory.

The man himself has not trusted a lot on how he would rent a notorious Trump.

“For weeks, the local media played the idea that it would not be diplomatically successful – that he was clumsy, not a sociable person and Trump would eat his lunch, if he makes Washington,” Shri Hall Said.

But this is moving away with this look like success.

Former Japanese Defense Minister is a veteran politician known for dense speeches in Parliament. Observers have said that such speeches manage to confuse some of their opponents and bore others.

But in a “Trump Strategy Meeting” with his employees, the largest piece of advice that he was reportedly received: “Conclusions first. Keep it simple.”

Mr. Hall said, “Ishiba followed a play book to personally flatter Trump and offer an economic investment in the US instead of facing it.”

There are many issues that Japan and America may disagree. At least not trump An American acquisition of Gaza Strip proposesWhich criticized fiercely worldwide.

Japan reiterated its long position to support the two-state solution.

“We won’t change our attitude,” Foreign Minister Takeshi Ivea said last week.

Tokyo is also watching Trump’s trade war with China With panic.

But the hall said that Japan would not be drawn into the US-China trade war if it could help.

When it comes to China, Japan needs to create a good balance.

Beijing is the largest business partner in Tokyo. China is one of the largest investment sites for Japanese companies.

Both the US and Japan are challenged in the region and globally on the defense and diplomatic front.

At least not with Chinese army Now continuously and stimulating moves near Taiwan Which sees Beijing as a hypocrisy province.

In 2022, Japan, a pacifist nation, announced that it would double its military expenses by 2027, citing the dangers generated by China and North Korea, and stating that it is the ability to attack enemy’s bases Will get

The changes marked the most dramatic overhaul in Japan’s security strategy as it adopted a pacifying constitution after World War 2.

North Korea has presented itself again as the lowest challenging and only unprotected friend in the region, with North Korea continuing its nuclear program, South Korea in a political recession, and the ongoing American-China rivalry. .

“Japan will avoid any deformation with Trump if possible. This will most likely become a ‘yes’ friend,” the hall said.