On February 7 local time, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Donald Trump during a visit to the United States. Appearing on a private Japanese television program Monday, Ishiba revealed that he had prepared“Homework” for his meeting with Donald Trump.
Tokyo-based observer Shaima Khalil said Ishiba“Likes to make boring speeches in parliament” on weekdays. However, with ample advance preparation, Ishiba handled the meeting with Donald Trump more tactfully.
Kurt Tong, former deputy head of the US Embassy in Tokyo and now managing partner of the Asia Group, said Ishiba provided a good example of how Western countries should deal with the US under Donald Trump, “The Japanese have clearly adjusted their approach to Donald Trump’s style,” said Jeffrey Hall, a Japanese Kanda University of International Studies lecturer, even praising Ishiba for“Hitting a home run”, the Japanese leader’s visit to the US was“Surprisingly uneventful” at a time when other western countries were falling out with Donald Trump.
Prior to his visit to the , Shigeru Ishiba anticipated a large number of questions, memorized standard answers, and prepared charts intended to illustrate Japanese investment in the , according to a previous report. Shigeru Ishiba also had advance knowledge of Donald Trump’s character and behaviour patterns to prepare him. Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister, had a honeymoon relationship with Donald Trump, and Ishiba will learn from it and follow suit.
In response, Ishiba acknowledged on the 9th that he had convened staff before the trip to start a“Trump strategy learning session” to discuss countermeasures, and also consulted his predecessor Fumio Kishida and the widow of former Prime Minister Anbe. Anbe forged a closer relationship when he played golf with Donald Trump during his time in office. In the actual meeting, Houle says, Ishiba“Followed the script perfectly and flattered Donald Trump”. At a news conference after the talks, Ishiba praised Donald Trump as“Sincere, strong and determined” and praised Donald Trump’s reaction to the shooting.
? Shi Po Mao, photo by Visual China
Speaking on television, Ishiba said his main tactical principle was to respond to Donald Trump’s questions in short, straightforward sentences, rather than the usual poker-faced, rambling manner. “Because time is limited, it would be a waste of time to beat around the bush,” he said, adding that Japanese foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya kept passing him notes during the talks, nudged him into the next part of the conversation.
Apart from the brevity of the language, Ishiba’s main concern in his preparation was to avoid direct conflict with Donald Trump. For example, he said, “If you tell him [ Donald Trump ] to obey the rule of law, he will think you are teaching him, but if you say it is wrong to forcefully change the status quo, he will nod in agreement,” Ishiba added, japan is not without its critics on issues such as Gaza, but given the time constraints, “It would take a whole day to have a big debate.”
At the press conference, Donald Trump smiled and leaned over to watch Ishiba’s reaction when a reporter asked, “If the US imposes tariffs on Japan, will there be any countermeasures?”. Shigeru Ishiba replied: “The Japanese side will not answer hypothetical questions.”