Donald Trump’s study sessions in Japan at Isthiba’s prime minister bear fruit in conversations

If Japan needed guarantees, in fact, he was still the ally and friend of the United States in the increasingly unstable Asia-Pacific, he got it and something else.

But what was surprising about Trump-Viba’s meeting at the White House was what did not happen.

Unlike most Trump’s national and global dynamics so far, this was not controversial or confrontative.

“On television, he is very scary,” Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru ishiba said to journalists after Friday’s 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 main foreign investor in the United States for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs. And there are 54,000 US military personnel parked in Japan.

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

“Trump has made some erratic decisions to the countries that believed they are friends from the United States,” said Jeffrey Hall, a professor at the University of International Studies of Kanda in Japan.

“There was fear in Tokyo that the same could happen: that Trump could slapped huge tariffs in Japan or start a dispute. But that did not happen,” he added.

While Trump did not rule out tariffs against Tokyo, it was not the main characteristic of this meeting.

Ishiba went to Washington prepared. He had studied. Literally. He held “Study sessions” with the 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 in the golf course.

Ishiba’s task was worth it.

In addition to when Trump erroneously referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there were not many revealed moments like the many other ads of the president of the United States.

In fact, in regards to Japan, this meeting was reassuring.

Both leaders seemed to have faced their countries’ plans to boost trade and defense that begin in a “golden era” of relations with united japan.

Ishiba announced his country’s plans to increase investment in the US. A $ 1TN (£ 806 billion), since the two economic powers re -ququilibrate commercial relations.

Ishiba said that Japanese car manufacturers would increase investment, while Tokyo would expand imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

This would have been music for Trump’s ears and an impulse to his announcement of “exercise, baby, exercise” of his inauguration speech.

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

Trump said Nippon “would invest a lot” in US -based US steel without having a majority participation.

The acquisition attempt of the Japanese company of Us Steel had been previously blocked by President Joe Biden in the national security land.

There were enough marked boxes for Japan to breathe easy, but the main objective of Ishiba’s visit was personal.

Japanese prime minister has been in a tense political position at home, with his minority government maintaining a weak grip in power after him He was humiliated in the general elections of October when their ruling majority lost.

Ishiba was desperate for a victory.

The man himself has not caused much confidence in how he would face a notorious Trump.

“For weeks, the local media played the idea that it would not succeed diplomatically, who was clumsy, not a sociable person and that Trump would eat his lunch, if he arrived in Washington,” Hall said.

But Ishiba is moving away with what is very similar to success.

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

But in a “Trump Strategy Meeting” with its staff, the most important council that, according to the reports, was: “first conclusion. Keep it simple.”

“Ihiba followed a play book to find Trump personally and offer economic investments in the United States instead of confronting him,” Hall said.

There are several problems in which Japan and the United States could disagree. No less important Trump Proposal for an American acquisition of Gaza’s stripwhich caused fierce criticisms worldwide.

Japan reiterated his long position to support a solution of two states.

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

Tokyo is also looking Trump’s commercial war with China nervously.

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

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

Beijing is Tokyo’s greatest commercial partner. China is one of the largest investment destinations for Japanese companies.

In the Defense and Diplomatic Front, both the United States and Japan are challenged by China’s growing influence and assertiveness in the region already worldwide.

No less important with the Chinese military Now frequent and provocative movements in waters near Taiwan that Beijing sees how a renegade province.

In 2022, Japan, a pacifist nation, announced that it would double its military spending by 2027, citing threats raised by China and North Korea, and saying that it would acquire the ability to attack enemy bases.

The changes marked the most dramatic review of Japan’s security strategy since he adopted a pacifist constitution after World War II.

With North Korea continuing its nuclear program, South Korea in political collapse and the current rivalry between the United States and China, Japan, has presented again as a less challenging friend in the United States and only without problems in the region.

“Japan will avoid any conformation with Trump when possible. Most likely, he becomes a friend of” yes, “Hall said.