Donald Trump Survey sessions in Japan from Japan pay off calls

If Japan needed assurances, it was really the best ally in the United States and a friend in the increasingly unstable Asia-Pacific region, he received it, and then some.

But what was striking about the Trump-Isbiba meeting in the White House was what didn’t happen.

Unlike most of Trump’s internal and global dynamics so far, this was neither contradictory nor confrontation.

“On television, he is very scary,” Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told reporters after the Friday meeting.

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

There are many things that tie Washington and Tokyo. Japan has been the best foreign investor in the United States for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs. There are also 54,000 US military officials in Japan.

But President Donald Trump has given a lot to his friends and enemies to worry: from tariff wars against China, Canada and Mexico to his “property” of Gaza’s proposal and his sanctions against the International Criminal CourtS

“Trump has made some unstable decisions to countries that think they are friends of America,” says Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Japanese University of International Research in Kanda.

“In Tokyo, there was a fear that the same could happen: Trump could hit huge tariffs for Japan or start a dispute. But that didn’t happen,” he added.

Until Trump excluded the tariffs against Tokyo, this was not the main characteristic of this meeting.

Ishiba went to Washington. He studied. Literally. He holds “study sessions” with staff and sought advice from his predecessor Fumio Kishida.

He also had some help from the widow of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had a close relationship with Trump during his first presidency, forged on the golf course.

Ishiba’s homework was paid.

Except when Trump mistakenly referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there was not much time to raise the eyes like many other reports from the US president.

In fact, as far as Japan is concerned, this meeting was soothing.

Both leaders seemed to meet with the eyes of their countries’ plans to strengthen trade and defense, like in the “Golden Age” of relations with Japan and the United States.

Ishiba has announced its country’s plans to increase US investment to 1TN (£ 806 billion) as the two economic forces balance trade relations.

Ishiba said Japanese car manufacturers will increase investment while Tokyo will expand the import of US LNG (LNG).

It would be music of Trump’s ears and a push of his “Drilling, Baby, Training” message from his speech to take office.

The two men also managed to find a common position on the controversial issue of Nippon Steel.

Trump said Nippon will “invest strongly” in US steel based in Pennsylvania without taking a majority share.

The experience of the Japanese company to take on American steel was previously blocked by President Joe Biden at national security sites.

There were enough boxes canceled for Japan to breathe easily – but the main goal of Ishiba’s visit was personal.

The Japanese Prime Minister was in a political position at home – with the minority government maintained a slight grip of power after him were humiliated in the October general election when they lost their ruling majorityS

Ishiba was desperate for victory.

The man himself did not cause much confidence in how he would deal with the notorious Trump.

“For weeks, the local media has played the idea that he will not succeed in diplomatic – that he is a clumsy, not a sociable person and that Trump will eat his lunch if he reaches Washington,” said G -n Hall.

But Ishiba moves away with what looks a lot like success.

The former Japanese Minister of Defense is a veteran politician known for dense speeches in parliament. Observers said such speeches were able to confuse some of his opponents and bored others.

But in the Trump Strategy with his staff, the largest advice he has was: “The conclusion first. Keep it just. “

“Ishiba followed a gaming book to personally flatten Trump and offer him economic investment in the United States instead of encountering it,” said G -H Hall.

There are a few questions that Japan and the US could disagree. Last but not least Trump Suggestion of U.S. Angestion on the Gaza tapeWhich has caused fierce criticism around the world.

Japan repeated its long -standing position to maintain a two -state solution.

“We will not change our position,” said Foreign Minister Takeshi Ivaya last week.

Tokyo also looks at Trump’s trade war with China nervous.

But Hall said that Japan would not be attracted to the US trade war if it could help it.

As for China, Japan must achieve a fine balance.

Beijing is the largest trading partner in Tokyo. China is one of the largest investment destinations for Japanese companies.

On the defense and the diplomatic front, both the United States and Japan are contested by China’s increasing influence and confidence in the region and globally.

Last but not least with the Chinese military Now frequent and provocative movements in waters near Taiwan which Beijing sees as a renegade province.

In 2022, Japan, a pacifist nation, announced that it would double its military expenses by 2027, citing threats, ceded to China and North Korea, and said it would acquire the ability to hit enemy bases.

The changes noted the most dramatic repair of Japan’s security strategy as it adopted a pacifist constitution after World War II.

After North Korea continued its nuclear program, South Korea in the political collapse and continued rivalry in the United States China, Japan again presented itself as the least challenging and only hassle-free friend in America in the region.

“Japan will avoid any conformation with Trump when possible. It is most likely to become a friend” Yes “,” Hall said.