Kishida’s Ally Meets with Trump

The Vice-president of Liberal Democratic Party, former Prime Minister, Taro Aso, had a meeting with the presumptive Republican nominee for 2024 Presidential election of the United States, Donald Trump, in New York. While Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, enhanced bilateral relationship with US in the meeting with President, Joe Biden, earlier this month, Aso, as a close ally of Kishida, reached Biden’s rival. Although it is obvious that Aso’s approach to Trump should be an insurance in case of Trump’s victory in November, it may deliver a mixed message from Japan to US. 

Aso supported former Shinzo Abe administration as Minister of Finance as one of the closest allies. Knowing that political relationship in Japan, Trump welcomed Aso in his office in New York with embracing memories with late Prime Minister Abe. “He’s a highly respected man in Japan and beyond. And somebody that I’ve liked, and I’ve known through our very dear friend, Shinzo,” said Trump about the meeting with Aso, also referring to Abe.

 

Trump’s campaign said in a statement that Trump and Aso discussed the importance of the US-Japan alliance for security and stability of Indo-Pacific, and challenges posed by China and North Korea. According to news reports in Japan, the meeting was offered by the Trump’s side and Aso hoped to maintain the relationship with Trump on behalf of late Abe.

 

However, Trump is not necessarily making a preferable US President for Japan. In his address to the joint meeting of US Congress earlier this month, Kishida urged US exercising its leadership in the world affairs. “The leadership of United States is indispensable. Without US support, how long before the hopes of Ukraine collapse under the onslaught of Moscow?” said Kishida in the address.

 

Trump has been taking negative stance against Biden administration’s funding for Ukraine. It is unclear whether possible Trump administration will cooperate with Japan on supporting Ukraine. Trump also vowed to block Nippon Steel’s acquisition of US Steel. Trump’s presidency may affect Japan’s international business with his “America First” trade policy.

 

Kishida administration took a certain distance from Aso’s meeting with Trump. “I would not comment on activities of a lawmaker with whom our government is not engaged,” said Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, about Aso’s visit to Trump’s office.

 

However, the government of Japan knows well about Abe’s visit to Trump in November, 2016, soon after Trump won the Presidential election, which caused building close relationship with Trump, while European leaders could not have opportunity to do that. Asahi Shimbun reported that a senior staff with Ministry for Foreign Affairs received an inquiry from a person who had relationship with US government, “What’s going on?” The staff indicated a possibility that Biden administration took Aso’s meeting with Trump as a double standard in Japan’s diplomacy.

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