Japan scrambles to secure US commitment as Trump considers direct China talks
Ishiba’s government, which has been trying to meet with Trump since his November electoral victory, announced it is arranging a trip to Washington in the coming weeks.
Tomoo Kikuchi, a professor at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies at Waseda University, said Japan’s concern stems from its perception that a growing gap in military capability between Beijing and Tokyo, even with US support, will embolden China to challenge the status quo.
“The erratic behaviour of the Trump administration increases Japan’s uncertainty and need for reassurance,” Kikuchi said, adding that “Tokyo dreads that Trump might even negotiate with Xi directly over regional security issues”.