FOCUS: Japan’s Takaichi Leverages Ties with Abe to Face Trump

Tokyo, Oct. 29 (Jiji Press)–Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi got through her first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump without a hitch just a week after her inauguration. Behind the success was her effort to foster trust with Trump by making the most of the relationship with her political mentor, the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had also built close ties with Trump. Takaichi and Trump on Tuesday agreed to deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance further, apparently with China in mind. However, Washington may increase pressure on Japan to raise its defense spending even more. At the U.S. Navy’s Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on the same day, Takaichi referred to a meeting between Abe and Trump, stating, “Six years ago here, the president and Prime Minister Abe expressed their determination to secure regional peace and security hand in hand.” In front of Trump and the crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, she declared, “I will take over that determination.” Trump, touching Takaichi’s shoulder in a show of closeness, said, “This woman is a winner.” He also stressed that they have become close friends. Abe’s Legacy Abe played a significant role in Takaichi’s rise, appointing her to key positions and supporting her candidacy for president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. He quickly bonded with Trump during the latter’s first administration, playing golf together. During Tuesday’s summit, Takaichi voiced gratitude for the “enduring friendship” between Trump and Abe, stating she had heard a lot about Trump’s diplomacy from the late leader. Trump replied that Abe was a great friend of his and often talked about Takaichi, adding that Abe should be happy that she became prime minister. Some events during Trump’s stay in Japan signaled that he and Takaichi have built a good relationship. They arrived at the summit venue a few minutes later than the scheduled start time, as Trump invited Takaichi to watch a Major League Baseball match in which Japanese players, including the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, were playing, sources said. To the Yokosuka base, Takaichi and Trump flew together aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One. Trump met with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago, although some had expected that he was unlikely to attend such a session. “We always have this in mind,” he said of the abduction issue as he met with the families along with Takaichi. “The legacy of Abe is considerably large,” a Japanese government official said. “Trump also frequently mentioned Takaichi as the first female prime minister (in Japan).” A senior Foreign Ministry official said: “Trump treats Japan very well. It was a good meeting.” Defense Equipment Procurement Takaichi tried hard to build a good relationship with Trump because Japan needs to keep its alliance with the United States, a cornerstone of Japan’s diplomacy, intact as the superpower is increasingly turning inward-looking. Tokyo also needs to reinforce cooperation with Washington to deter Beijing. At their meeting, the two leaders agreed to promote a Free and Open Indo-Pacific initiative in light of China’s coercive actions and confirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. They agreed to strengthen the supply chain of critical minerals in view of China’s export restrictions on rare earths. Ahead of the summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for Thursday, Takaichi highlighted the unity of Japan and the United States. But a concern remains. Takaichi plans to boost national defense spending to 2 pct of gross domestic product within the current fiscal year through next March, two years earlier than planned. At the summit, she showed a determination to accelerate the defense spending boost, but the U.S. Department of Defense has called for increasing the spending to 5 pct of GDP. Washington may also demand a rise in Japan’s share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in the Asian country. Trump showed gratitude for Japanese procurement of defense equipment from the United States. However, a Japanese government official said, “It’s unpredictable at what level Trump will be satisfied.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]