Japan Ramps Up Efforts to Strengthen Ties with Trump Administration Amid Security, Trade Concerns

Following former President Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election, concerns have emerged within Japan’s government regarding the potential impact on security and trade relations with the United States.

The Japanese government is working quickly to strengthen ties with Trump’s upcoming administration, hoping to mitigate any adverse effects on Japan-U.S. relations.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held his first phone conversation with Trump following the election and said, “We agreed to take the Japan-U.S. alliance to an even higher level.” Ishiba plans to explain Japan’s security policies clearly, hoping to ease concerns and ensure continued cooperation between the two countries.

During Trump’s previous tenure, his “America First” approach demanded that U.S. allies, including Japan, shoulder more of the burden for defence costs.

Trump had criticised the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, which outlines U.S. defence obligations to Japan, and sought a significant increase in Japan’s financial contribution to support the stationing of U.S. forces on its soil. With Trump’s return to office, Japan is preparing for similar demands and strategising how to handle them.

There is also concern over Trump’s inward-focused foreign policy, which could reduce U.S. presence in Asia-Pacific. Japan’s Foreign Ministry officials are working to demonstrate to the new administration how Japan-U.S. cooperation plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability and is in the best interest of the United States.

On the trade front, Japan is wary of Trump’s scepticism toward multilateral trade agreements. During his first term, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and criticised the World Trade Organization. He also raised the possibility of imposing higher tariffs on Japanese cars, which has led Japan’s government to prepare materials highlighting Japanese automakers’ contributions to employment in the U.S.

A senior official from Japan’s economic sector acknowledged, “We need to be prepared with countermeasures based on the experience we had under the previous administration.”

As Japan works to manage these potential challenges, its leaders remain focused on maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the United States despite the uncertainties surrounding Trump’s return to power.