'Trump study sessions': How Japan PM's homework paid off

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had an important meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. This meeting was crucial for Japan, as it wanted to ensure that the United States still viewed it as a top ally and friend, especially in the increasingly unstable Asia-Pacific region. What stood out about the Trump-Ishiba meeting was the lack of controversy or confrontation, which is often seen in Trump's interactions with other leaders. Ishiba remarked to reporters that while Trump can appear intimidating on television, he found him to be sincere and strong-willed in person. The relationship between Washington and Tokyo is significant, as Japan has been the largest foreign investor in the US for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs in the process. Additionally, there are around 54,000 US military personnel stationed in Japan. However, President Trump has made some unpredictable decisions that have caused concern among countries that consider themselves friends of the US. There was a fear in Tokyo that Trump might impose heavy tariffs on Japanese goods or initiate a trade dispute, but thankfully, that did not occur during this meeting. Ishiba came to Washington well-prepared, having engaged in 'study sessions' with his staff and sought advice from former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. He even received assistance from the widow of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had a close relationship with Trump during his first presidency. Ishiba's preparation paid off, as the meeting was largely free of any major incidents, aside from a minor slip-up when Trump mistakenly referred to Nippon Steel as 'Nissan. ' For Japan, this meeting was reassuring, as Ishiba announced plans to increase investment in the US to a staggering $1 trillion. This news was music to Trump's ears, aligning with his push for increased energy production in the US. The two leaders also found common ground on the contentious issue of Nippon Steel, which had faced challenges in the US market due to national security concerns. While there were many positive aspects to the meeting, Ishiba's primary goal was to secure a personal victory. He has faced a challenging political landscape at home, with his minority government struggling to maintain power. Local media had raised doubts about his ability to succeed in diplomatic discussions with Trump, portraying him as clumsy and socially awkward. However, Ishiba left the meeting with what appeared to be a significant success. Known for his lengthy speeches in parliament, which can sometimes confuse or bore his audience, Ishiba followed a strategy of keeping things simple and focused on positive discussions. He reportedly received advice to present conclusions first and avoid unnecessary complexity. This approach allowed him to flatter Trump personally and offer economic investments in the US rather than confront him directly. Despite the potential for disagreements on various issues, including Trump's controversial policies, Japan is committed to maintaining a strong relationship with the US without engaging in confrontation. Japan is also carefully navigating its relationship with China, which is its largest trading partner. The two countries need to strike a delicate balance, especially given China's growing influence in the region. Japan has announced plans to double its military spending by 2027, citing threats from China and North Korea. This marks a significant shift in Japan's defense strategy, which has been pacifist since World War Two. With ongoing tensions in the region, Japan is positioning itself as a reliable ally to the US, avoiding confrontation with Trump whenever possible.