Japan PM ISIBIHA -AS OF THE STUDY DONALD Trump are paid to talks

If Japan needed persuasion, it was indeed the best American ally and friend in an increasingly unstable Asian-Pacific Ocean, he got it and then some.

But what was striking in the Trump-Isshib meeting at the White House was what did not happen.

Unlike most Trump’s domestic and global dynamics so far, it was neither controversial nor confrontation.

“It’s very scary on television,” Japanese Prime Minister Shiger told reporters after a meeting on Friday.

“But when I met him, he was very honest, very powerful and powerful,” he added.

There is a lot that binds Washington and Tokyo. Japan was the main foreign investor in the US for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs. And 54,000 US military staff were stationed in Japan.

But President Donald Trump gave his friends and enemies to worry: from tariff wars against China, Canada and Mexico to his American “ownership” of Gaza and his proposal Sanctions against the International Criminal Court.

“Trump has made some wrong decisions towards countries that believed they were American friends,” said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Japanese University for International Studies Kanda.

“It would be afraid in Tokyo that the same thing could happen: Trump could slap the huge tariffs on Japan or start a dispute. But that didn’t happen,” he added.

Although Trump did not rule out the Tokyo tariffs, it was not the main feature of this meeting.

Ishiba went to Washington prepared. He studied. Verbatim. He held a “study session” with the staff and sought advice from his predecessor Fumio Kishida.

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

Ishiba paid homework.

Except when Trump was wrong to call Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there was not much moment to collect eyes like many other announcements of the US president.

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

Both leaders seemed to meet the plans of their countries to increase the trade and defense against the “golden era” of Japan-US.

Ishiba announced his plans for his country’s plans to increase investments in the US to $ 1 (806 billion pounds), as two economic forces are balanced trade relations.

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

This would be music to Trump’s ears and reinforce his announcement “drill, baby, drill” from his speech of the inauguration.

Two men also managed to find a common ground about a controversial edition of Nippon Steel.

Trump said Nippon would “invest a big” one in the American steel headquartered in Pennsylvania without taking the majority stake.

The attempt at Japanese company, US Steel was previously blocked by President Joe Biden on national security grounds.

There was enough boxes that Japan was easily inhaled – but the main purpose of visiting Ishibi was personal.

The Japanese Prime Minister was in a crowded political position at home – with his minority government poorly held power after that was humiliated in the general election in October when they lost their ruling majority.

Ishiba is desperate for winning.

The man himself did not gain much confidence in how he would be conducted opposite the infamous Trump.

“For weeks, local media has played the idea that they will not succeed in diplomatically – that he is unprepared, not a social person and that Trump will eat his lunch if he arrived in Washington,” Mr. Hall said.

But Ibiba moves away with what is very much like success.

Former Japanese Defense Minister Veteran is known for his thick speeches in parliament. Observers said such speeches manage to confuse some of his opponents, and others are bored.

But at the “Trump strategic meeting” with his staff, the greatest advice he allegedly received was: “The first conclusion. Let it be simple.”

“Ishiba followed the book of the play to personally flatter Trump and offer him economic investments in the US instead of confronting him,” said Mr. Hall.

There are several questions that Japan and now I can’t agree on. Not at least Trump The proposal of the American takeover of the gauze tapewhich caused fierce criticism around the world.

Japan repeated his long -standing position to support the solution with two countries.

“We will not change our attitude,” said Foreign Minister Takeshi Iway last week.

Tokyo also watches Trump’s trade war with China nervously.

But Hall said Japan would not be drawn into the US-kine trade war if he could help.

When it comes to China, Japan must establish a fine balance.

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

On defense and diplomatic front and USA, Japan causes the growing influence and assertiveness of China in the region and globally.

Not the least with Chinese army Now frequent and provocative moves in the waters near Taiwan seen as Beijing as the Province of Renegade.

Japan announced in 2022, the Pacific Nation, announced that it would double its military consumption by 2027, citing threats represented by China and North Korea, and saying that it would gain the ability to hit enemy bases.

Changes have marked the most dramatic overhaul of the Japanese security strategy since it adopted the Pacific Constitution after World War II.

Given that North Korea continued its nuclear program, South Korea in political departure, and the current US-kine rivalry, Japan again presented itself as the least challenging American and unobsable friend in the region.

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