Japanese government confused by Trump's "US-China allies" comment, Prime Minister emphasizes strength of Japan-US alliance

Following the summit meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 24th, the Japanese government has put all its efforts into gathering and analyzing information. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is arranging to immediately call Trump and receive a direct report on the content of the meeting. Trump's remark that the United States and China were "allies" in World War II caused confusion in the Japanese government.

Trump says China is an ``ally'' and Xi ``fought against Japanese militarism'' - unusual remarks related to World War II

On the 25th, the prime minister said regarding the ``ally'' comment, ``As it is an exchange between third countries, I do not comment on the details.'' Bearing in mind Mr. Xi's statement that ``Central and American countries worked together to fight Japanese militarism,'' he asserted that ``Japan and the United States were at war, but they achieved reconciliation and deepened their relationship, and now they are allies with very strong ties and can trust each other.'' He responded to an interview with reporters at the Prime Minister's official residence.

One official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs viewed the statement about allies as "Trump-style lip service," while another official at the ministry said, "It is more correct to refer to the United States as an allied force." On the other hand, a Japanese government official acknowledged that it was ``not a pleasant comment.''

Mr. Trump has long referred to the United States and China as the "G2" and has advocated the "Don Roe principle," which places emphasis on the Western Hemisphere. There were concerns that the US and China were approaching each other over Japan's head. While Trump's approval ratings are on the decline due to rising prices caused by military operations against Iran, there are growing concerns that he will accept China's claims to a certain extent on issues such as Taiwan, with an eye on the US mid-term elections in November.

The prime minister met with Trump in New York on the 22nd, just before the U.S.-China summit meeting, and sought to share a common understanding of China, in order to warn him against making easy concessions. A source close to the prime minister's office said, ``The prime minister said, ``I hope that you will not be at the mercy of China on matters such as the Taiwan issue,'' and those around the prime minister emphasized that ``Japan and the United States were able to fully reconcile the Taiwan issue.''

The content of the U.S.-China summit that has been reported so far is met with a calm reception among many within the Japanese government. A government official said, ``There doesn't seem to be any surprises.'' A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official also explained, ``The content of the meeting between the United States and China in May has not changed.''