Trump ‘Study Sessions’: How Japan’s PM Mastered His White House Meeting
If Japan sought reassurance about its position as the US’s top ally in the Asia-Pacific, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s meeting with Donald Trump delivered just that—without drama or discord.
What stood out about their White House encounter was not what happened, but what didn’t. Unlike many of Trump’s past meetings, this one was neither tense nor confrontational.
“Frightening on TV, Sincere in Person”
Speaking after Friday’s meeting, Ishiba shared his thoughts on Trump:
🔹 “On television, he is very frightening. But in person, he was sincere, powerful, and strong-willed.”
Washington and Tokyo have deep economic and military ties:
✅ Japan is the US’s top foreign investor for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs.
✅ 54,000 US troops are stationed in Japan, underscoring their strategic alliance.
However, Trump’s unpredictable policies—trade wars, international sanctions, and foreign policy gambits—had kept Japan on edge. Would he turn against Tokyo next?
Ishiba’s Secret Weapon: ‘Trump Study Sessions’
Determined to avoid missteps, Ishiba prepared meticulously before his US visit.
🔹 He held study sessions with staff.
🔹 He sought advice from former PM Fumio Kishida.
🔹 He even received insights from Shinzo Abe’s widow, recalling Abe’s close bond with Trump on the golf course.
His efforts paid off. Apart from Trump mistakenly referring to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, the meeting had no unexpected twists. For Japan, that alone was a victory.
A ‘Golden Era’ for Japan-US Relations?
Both leaders aligned on trade and defense cooperation, marking what they called a “golden era” in Japan-US relations.
🔹 Japan pledged $1 trillion in new US investments, rebalancing trade ties.
🔹 Japanese automakers committed to more US production.
🔹 Tokyo agreed to expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the US, boosting Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” energy push.
The two also found common ground on the Nippon Steel issue. Trump assured that the Japanese firm would invest heavily in US Steel’s Pennsylvania operations—without taking a majority stake.
Keeping It Simple: Ishiba’s Winning Strategy
For weeks, Japan’s media questioned whether Ishiba could handle Trump.
🔹 Critics doubted his diplomatic skills.
🔹 Some feared Trump would “eat him alive” in negotiations.
But Ishiba followed a key piece of advice from his team:
✅ Conclusion first. Keep it simple.
Instead of challenging Trump, he flattered him and focused on economic benefits. The approach worked.
Avoiding Conflict, Playing the ‘Yes Friend’
Despite differences on Trump’s Gaza takeover proposal and US-China trade tensions, Japan stuck to a non-confrontational stance:
🔹 Tokyo reiterated its support for a two-state solution in Gaza.
🔹 Japan remains wary of being dragged into US-China trade disputes.
At the same time, Japan recognizes the growing regional threats:
✅ China’s aggressive military moves near Taiwan.
✅ North Korea’s nuclear advancements.
✅ South Korea’s internal political turmoil.
Japan has already doubled its military spending—the biggest shift in its security strategy since WWII.
As tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific, Japan is ensuring that it remains America’s most reliable and least problematic ally.
🔹 “Japan will avoid confrontation with Trump whenever possible. It will most likely become a ‘yes friend’,” said political analyst Jeffrey Hall.
For now, Ishiba’s carefully crafted strategy has secured Tokyo’s standing in Washington—without stepping on any landmines.
