Donald Trump’s meeting yesterday with Japan’s Prime Minister has made national newscasts in the United States. But in Japan, it’s been a continuing story for some time. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.
The rhetoric of candidate Donald Trump became a topic of growing concern in Japan as the U.S. election came to a climax.
Japan was not a dominant topic during the presidential debates, but it did come up from time to time on the Trump campaign trail. And never in a positive context.
The usual references were trade deficits and additional payment to the U.S. for service members stationed in Japan.
There was also the suggestion that Japan develop nuclear weapons—a non-starter of a policy proposal for the only country to have experienced the devastation of a nuclear bomb...twice.
But as someone who has spent his career maneuvering the complicated waters of Japanese politics, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recognized an opportunity.
After the election results were clear, Abe moved quickly to become the first foreign leader to meet the president-elect.
Abe said he didn’t want to share details of what he called a “really cordial” ninety-minute talk because it was an informal meeting. Abe also said “I am convinced Mr. Trump is a leader in whom I can have great confidence.”
Abe’s nearly four years in office have been marked by a controversial and more hawkish approach to the military.
He’s reinterpreted Japan’s constitution to allow a greater role for the country’s self-defense forces and boosted military spending.
Next up on the Abe diplomatic calendar: this weekend’s APEC meetings in Peru.
