During the first administration of Donald J. Trump, Shinzo Abe, Japan's prime minister at the time, effectively engaged with the then president-elect. Abe's approach, which emphasized shared interests such as golf and personal admiration, helped to shield Japan from Trump's more aggressive foreign policy inclinations.
Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his election in 2016, presenting him with golf clubs and later establishing a relationship marked by mutual respect and guidance. Their interactions included golf outings and significant ceremonial honors during state visits.
As Japan prepares for a potential second Trump administration, officials are revisiting strategies employed during Abe's tenure. Current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has already reached out to Trump, expressing his intent to strengthen ties.
Abe's diplomatic successes included mitigating Trump’s threats regarding border taxes on Japanese automakers and defense spending, partly due to their shared political ideologies. Despite initial successes, questions arose about the long-term benefits of Abe's efforts as Trump’s policies began to diverge from Japanese interests.
In the years following Trump's initial term, Japan has enhanced its defense posture, committing to increase its defense budget and procure advanced military systems from the U.S. This development positions Japan to assert its contributions to mutual defense more effectively than during Abe's administration.
However, a recent general election has left Ishiba's government in a potentially weaker position to negotiate with Trump over defense spending and tariffs. Observers note that Ishiba's more serious demeanor may differ significantly from Abe's more personable style, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Japan relations under a new Trump administration.