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© KYODOIshiba's diplomatic knack in doubt amid blunders, no Trump meeting
By Noriyuki Suzuki RIO DE JANEIRO©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
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Yubaru
Every world leader is being put on hold with Trump 2.0, Ishiba is no different. Folks are nitpicky as hell about some things, that is the bigger picture mean nothing.
deanzaZZR
For a diplomatic debut I will give Ishiba-san a solid D. Eyebrows were raised. I know of no progress that was made on any front.
Wasabi
trump is unstable, everyone should avoid the US for the few next years. This is sadly the best option. Brown noise only work with trump when you have money or if you are a "strong" dictator... it is also ephemeral.
The_Beagle
I doubt Ishiba or Japan will have any problems with the next Trump administration. US relations with Japan have been solid for decades.
factchecker
He's not up to the job. It's obvious. Represents Japan today on the global stage alright. Tired, stubborn and totally bereft of innovation and vision.
Hervé L'Eisa
It's offensive to intentionally not capitalize a person's name regardless of who that person is.
Give PM Ishiba a break.
1glenn
No need to set up a meeting with Trump; just send him a big fat check, and all will be OK.
WoodyLee
"" Japan's alliance with the United States serves as the foundation of its diplomacy and defense policy, making it a priority for any Japanese leader to build strong personal ties with the sitting U.S. president. ""
NOTHING remains the same, Japan must find ways to stand alone and be reliant on anyone. The U.S. has it's own national interests as well that may not align with Japans and in some cases may be the opposite.
Best of luck for Mr. Ishiba as he seems to be struggling with several issues that he has little or no experianse with.
WoodyLee
"" Japan's alliance with the United States serves as the foundation of its diplomacy and defense policy, making it a priority for any Japanese leader to build strong personal ties with the sitting U.S. president. ""
NOTHING remains the same, Japan must find ways to stand alone and NOT be reliant on anyone. The U.S. has it's own national interests as well that may not align with Japans and in some cases may be the opposite.
Best of luck for Mr. Ishiba as he seems to be struggling with several issues that he has little or no experianse with.
dutch
hes still 2 months away from office, but the world is already trembling (in a good way) at President Trump.
so unstable he just won the popular vote in a landslide, crushing victory.
BertieWooster
itsonlyrocknroll
I believe Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has had a hint, a warning, a number of sneering political opponents will take undue pleasure in witnessing his public humiliation.
His advisers failed to prepare Shigeru Ishiba for an unforgiving media world stage.
What these miscreants fail to fully understand it is Japan humiliation on the world stage as much as their Prime Minister.
Gaijinjland
Graduate Students in international relations will be writing dissertations about Abe for decades to come. Regardless of what you think of his legacy, he was a class act in diplomacy and did more for Japan on the global stage than any PM before him. Politics is 90% pomp and BS brown nosing and Ishiba isn’t important enough to act like a jerk (like Trump) around other global leaders.
dutch
gamer nerds are still buzzing that Abe dressed up as a game character. They think that had any affect on Japan's international standing.
nope. Its the difference between life and death for a nation. Just ask Americans who found themselves on life support from the tragic last 4 years.
non-Americans don't like when the US takes its rightful place as leader of the free world. Suddenly they are "jerks" despite doing the thankless job of defending their ungrateful behinds.
wallace
So will Trump continue to supply and support Ukraine against the Russian invasion and help protect the free world?
itsonlyrocknroll
Here the rub, the concern, the most urgent priority.
"Prime Minister Ishiba is a known expert on security, agriculture and regional revitalization. There are substantial worries about his negotiation skills in terms of diplomacy and trade," Sugawara said. "Trump 2.0 will be more formidable."
As a recap Trump 1.0 revisit .....
U.S.-Japan Agreement: Agriculture Provisions
https://fas.usda.gov/us-japan-agreement-agriculture-provisions
Trumps team will leverage ruthlessly, any weaknesses will be relentlessly exploited.
Prime Minister Ishiba will need a team of trusted skilled experienced negotiators.
Ishiba will not be taken seriously getting stuck in a traffic jam
Gaijinjland
@dutch
I am American and have been living in Japan for 20 years. The US has no more rightful place as a leader of the free world than any other democratic nation. Where are you from?
The_Beagle
In a more multipolar world, Ishiba needs to be able to deal with more than just cozying up to the US. Russia and China are both powerful and assertive. Alliances such as BRICS are gaining momentum.
Derek Grebe
30 years of blundering failure, economic ruin and acres of publicly-known corruption, and this bloated clown is the best the LDP can do to take the reins of a once-great nation?
When, in the name of all that’s gracious, will the people of Japan decide enough is enough and vote these venal buffoons out?
Peter Neil
sample telephone call:
”good morning president trump. congratulations on your election. japan looks forward to continuing and growing our investment in the u.s.
as the #1 country in u.s. investment, japanese companies employ over one million americans, half a million in manufacturing and 6% of american exports are by japanese companies in the u.s.
the wages paid to americans by those companies is approaching one trillion dollars per year and supports communities across america.
i look forward to meeting with you.”
dutch
You mean help protect the biggest money laundering operation in modern history? At the cost of an entire generation of men on both sides?
Not worth a single bullet.
The_Beagle
I would like to know his accomplishments in agriculture and regional revitalization. Those are major concerns for the citizens of Japan. Rapidly rising prices (rice, fruit & vegetables) and stagnant regional economies should be of immediate concern to him and his government.
dutch
certainly not very diplomatic as it is a very rude and bitter way to start a phone call.
But If we lived in an alternate universe where the Japanese were rude and bitter people (as seen in the imaginary phone call) then I'm sure the answer could be "Hi! as America spends roundly 67% of the bill to maintain military bases in Japan for its defense against China, we look forward to meeting with you too!"
But of course, they would be much more diplomatic.
Ricky Kaminski13
Ishiba seems inept as hell, just hope he is one of those awkward people in front of the camera but a powerhouse of firm policy behind the scenes. Won’t give up quite yet as it’s early days (and it’s a basic total reset come January) but yeah , first stages of his prime ministership a low D. Quite the shemozzle.
NOMINATION
Unfortunately Trump isn't pro-war and guns as you seem to be.
TaiwanIsNotChina
2% is not a landslide
wallace
NOMINATION
So will Trump continue to supply and support Ukraine against the Russian invasion and help protect the free world?
If your country were invaded you would think it wrong to defend it and instead surrender.
Some dude
I bet that, had the voting public taken a chance on Takaichi, she'd have shown more spine dealing with foreign leaders than K Y Ishiba.
ALmost
What a photo of Mr. Ishiba. He seems out of place and lost. Although changing prime ministers too often is not a good thing, I feel Japan should consider changing him out sooner than later. He just doesn't seem to fit there. Japan at this point in time really needs a good, smart and vibrant leader. One who truly hears its people and knows how to stand up to but also negotiate with the other nations' leaders.
xin xin
Should have chosen Takaichi Sanae.