Prime Minister Takaichi warns of Trump's approach to China, North Korea, and Russia, seeking early talks

Following the defeat of the ruling Republican Party in the US mid-term elections, the Japanese government is wary of the negative impact on its foreign policy in Asia. There are concerns that President Trump, faced with domestic political stagnation, is anxious to achieve results through diplomacy in order to build a legacy (political legacy) and is moving closer to North Korea, China, and Russia. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes to meet with Trump as soon as possible and reaffirm the unity between Japan and the United States.

At a press conference on the 4th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara emphasized, ``A strong Japan-U.S. alliance is essential not only for maximizing national interests but also for the peace and stability of the international community.'' "We will work closely at all levels, including the leaders and the foreign minister," he said, indicating his intention to expedite communication with the U.S. side.

Losing a majority in both houses of Congress will make it difficult to pass bills and budgets. Based on this, there are predictions within the Japanese government that Mr. Trump will seek a way out through diplomacy with fewer restrictions from Congress during the remaining two years of his term, and some are saying that he may ``do something outrageous.''

One scenario is that Trump approaches North Korea's Kim Jong Un, the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. With no end in sight for the situation in Iran, government officials have mentioned the possibility that Trump may move to end the Korean War, which is currently in a state of truce, in order to win the Nobel Peace Prize. ``If the U.S. forces in South Korea are withdrawn or the nuclear and missile issues are put aside, Japan's security environment will change completely,'' he said.

Trump is positive about a U.S.-China-Russia summit meeting. There are concerns that major powers alone will be tempted to control the international order and make deals that go beyond the heads of countries such as Japan.

Increased pressure on allies is also a cause for concern. A senior official in the prime minister's office said, ``We may be asked to increase the amount of investment and loans to the United States (as agreed in the Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations) or bring forward the timing for achieving the goal.''

Some fear that the United States will move away from Asia. The Liberal Democratic Party's defense group expressed caution, saying, ``We fear that Trump's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region will weaken,'' with the possibility that Trump will lean even further towards the ``Donroe doctrine,'' which emphasizes dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

The government is looking to hold a Japan-U.S. summit meeting, with an eye on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related summits to be held in the middle of this month. An important moment awaits us as to how far the Prime Minister can make Mr. Trump understand Japan's position.