Politics Japan and Trump 2.0

[thomas]

This thread will highlight the relationship between Japan and the U.S. administration under Trump 2.0.​

It's comforting to see PM Ishiba stand up to "foreign influence."

On Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated that Japan determines its defence budget independently, responding to comments from Elbridge Colby, former U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee for a key Pentagon policy role, who urged Tokyo to boost spending to counter China. "Japan decides its defence budget on its own," Ishiba said in the Diet. "Other nations shouldn't dictate it." In 2022, Japan unveiled a five-year military expansion plan worth 43 trillion yen ($287.09 billion). The plan aims to double defence spending to about 2% of GDP in response to growing security concerns involving China, Russia, and North Korea. Colby, nominated to serve as under-secretary of defence for policy, argued that Japan should further increase its military expenditure.

"Japan should be spending at least 3% of GDP on defence as soon as possible and accelerating the revamp of its military to focus on a denial defence of its own archipelago and collective defence in its region," Colby said in a written response to advance policy questions from U.S. senators. Japan's top government spokesperson said the nation's defence buildup prioritises quality over the size of its budget. "What we think important is the substance of defence capabilities, not the volume or GDP ratio," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a regular press conference.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-defence-budget-prioritises-quality-over-gdp-ratio-spokesperson-reacts-2025-03-05/

 

[thomas]

While Mr Trump praised the Japan-U.S. relationship in February as "growing stronger than ever," on Thursday, he called the alliance between the two nations an "interesting deal."

The collective defence arrangement stems from agreements made after the end of World War II. "We have a strong relationship with Japan, but there's an interesting arrangement where we are obligated to protect them, but they don't have to protect us. Did you know that? That's what the deal says," Trump remarked on Thursday. "Also, they profit immensely economically from us... Who negotiates these deals?" His comments echoed similar ones he made during a 2019 visit to Japan.

Trump calls Japan-U.S. alliance an ‘interesting deal’ | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

In response, the Japanese government clarified that the original security treaty does permit a joint defence for Japan's protection and that subsequent legislation in 2015 significantly broadened the scope of mutual defence under specific conditions. "Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty specifies that both Japan and the U.S. will take joint action in response to armed attacks on Japan. Article 6 permits the U.S. to use Japanese facilities to help secure Japan and maintain international peace and stability in the Far East," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Friday morning, addressing Trump's remarks.

Tokyo responds to Trump remarks on 'interesting' Japan-U.S. security pact

Japan's top government spokesperson underlined the agreement's cooperative element after the U.S. president complained the deal was one-sided.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[thomas]

She didn't do her homework.

The White House press secretary criticised Japan for its high tariff on US rice imports. During a briefing, Karoline Leavitt discussed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium before shifting focus to other countries. She presented a chart highlighting tariff rates, specifically Japan, the European Union, and India. She noted Japan's particularly steep tariffs on US beef, dairy, and rice as examples of trade imbalances. Leavitt stated that President Trump believed in fair trade and argued it was time for a leader who prioritised American businesses and workers. She emphasised that the president was seeking fair and balanced trade practices.

Leavitt failed to mention that Japan has a mandatory tariff-free import quota for US rice. Imports outside this framework are subject to a levy of 341 yen, or roughly 2 dollars, per kilogram.

Sounds pretty fair to me.

White House spokesperson slams Japan for 700% rice tariff | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The White House press secretary has criticized Japan over a tariff it imposes on US rice imports.

www3.nhk.or.jp

The U.S. says Japan has a 700% tariff on American rice. Is that the case?

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s accusation describes only a small portion of U.S. rice imported by Japan.

www.japantimes.co.jp

 

[Lothor]

This could be a largely academic discussion considering the amount of pollution US firms are going to unleash on America (and the world) over the next few years. My wife (like many Japanese people) already doesn't touch US agricultural products, and I'll be checking countries of origin more closely.

Trump officials decimate climate protections and consider axeing key greenhouse gas finding

EPA takes aim at almost every major pollution rule in what environmentalists call act of ‘malice toward the planet’

www.theguardian.com

 

[Ukigumo]

<Press conference question>

Mr Trump, you said you would bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours of being in office. You've now been in office for about 60+ days and we can all agree you are not really any closer to bringing peace to Ukraine. This suggests you, and these are not mutually exclusive, have either a complete misunderstanding of the situation, or you don't really know what Putin's motivations are, or you possess a great deal of hubris. Would you mind telling us which of these best describes the situation?

Oh and I have a follow-up question about Gaza.

 

[thomas]

According to Mr Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary, Japan was indispensable in tackling Chinese aggression by helping Washington establish a "credible deterrence in the region, including across the Taiwan Strait." He told Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani at a meeting in Tokyo that Japan and the US "shared a warrior ethos that defines both their forces."

Japan hosts around 50,000 U.S. military personnel, squadrons of fighter squadrons and Washington's only forward deployed aircraft carrier strike group along a 3,000-km (1,900-mile) archipelago that helps hem in Chinese military power. Hegseth's praise of Japan contrasts with the criticism he levelled at European allies in February, telling them they should not assume the U.S. presence there would last forever.

Pentagon chief Hegseth says 'warrior' Japan indispensable to deter China | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Hegseth calls Japan indispensable in the face of Chinese aggression

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called Japan an “indispensable partner” in deterring growing Chinese assertiveness in the region and announced upgrading the U.S. military command in Japan to a new “war-fighting headquarters.”

apnews.com

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Trump-san, ready to protect & save Japan!

 

[Ukigumo]

This is an interesting and eye opening analysis from an unexpected source!

 

[thomas]

Trump launches tariffs, saying global trade has 'looted, pillaged, raped, plundered' U.S. economy

Trump Announces Sweeping New Tariffs to Promote US Manufacturing, Risking Inflation and Trade Wars

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced far-reaching new tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners — a 34% tax on imports from China and 20% on the European Union, among others — that threaten to dismantle much of the architecture of the global economy and trigger...

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

President Trump announces "reciprocal tariffs"

Japan 24%, China 34%, EU 20%, South Korea 25%

日本２４％・中国３４％・ＥＵ２０％・韓国２５％…トランプ大統領「相互関税」発表

【読売新聞】　【ワシントン＝田中宏幸】米国のトランプ大統領は２日、米ホワイトハウスで記者会見し、米国より高い関税率を課す国・地域に同等の関税をかける「相互関税」の導入を発表した。全ての輸入品に一律１０％の関税を課した上で、相手国の関

www.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[mdchachi]

Perhaps you could add a vomit emoji to the reactions list. That's my first reaction every time I see his face.

 

[Ukigumo]

If this strategy does improve the economic situation in the US, then Mr Orange should be given the Nobel prize…in all it's categories.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

It seems even in an "economic" war there are a sad amount of innocent victims. I hope in 3 or 4 years it all seems worth it if I'm still around.

 

[Ukigumo]

I wonder why those 'victims' don't see this is a potentially fool-hardy move and keep supporting him. What am I missing?

 

[musicisgood]

What the info, ( politicians do not give you all the winning chess moves), here it is. Its strategy, foresight, and adaptability. It's called "control the center". Also, thinking ahead.
The narrow minded idiots that don't like his policies are crooked individuals or off beat in the head, No cure for that. Some of us have gone through the legal process with our spouses to live in America, can you believe now that people are against that process. Illegals should have more rights to the written laws of immigration. Try that in Japan. Go Trump, get rid of them "ALL".
Oh, by the way, tariffs, he hasn't mentioned why other countries have banned American products. ( chess play here )
Remember when American apple growers wanted to import the apples. No, not only No, but ...f...No. I remember them days and also rice.

 

[musicisgood]

This is an interesting and eye opening analysis from an unexpected source!

The US already has bases in Greenland.

 

[musicisgood]

View attachment 125683
Trump-san, ready to protect & save Japan!

he already said he would

 

[musicisgood]

<Press conference question>

Mr Trump, you said you would bring peace to Ukraine within 24 hours of being in office. You've now been in office for about 60+ days and we can all agree you are not really any closer to bringing peace to Ukraine. This suggests you, and these are not mutually exclusive, have either a complete misunderstanding of the situation, or you don't really know what Putin's motivations are, or you possess a great deal of hubris. Would you mind telling us which of these best describes the situation?

Oh and I have a follow-up question about Gaza.

Ukraine has a dictator in charge. His wife like to shop in Paris on the American dime. Of course, he wants peace, what's wrong with that. Have you ever tried cooking rice the wrong way, it sucks and a waste of money too.

 

[musicisgood]

This could be a largely academic discussion considering the amount of pollution US firms are going to unleash on America (and the world) over the next few years. My wife (like many Japanese people) already doesn't touch US agricultural products, and I'll be checking countries of origin more closely.

Trump officials decimate climate protections and consider axeing key greenhouse gas finding

EPA takes aim at almost every major pollution rule in what environmentalists call act of ‘malice toward the planet’

www.theguardian.com

Children's cereal is the worst.

 

[Ukigumo]

The US already has bases in Greenland.

These two ex-politicians from opposite sides of the house, have great insight and meaningful opinions.

 

[Ukigumo]

Ukraine has a dictator in charge. His wife like to shop in Paris on the American dime. Of course, he wants peace, what's wrong with that. Have you ever tried cooking rice the wrong way, it sucks and a waste of money too.

Oh I thought he was democratically voted into position. My apologies.

 

[musicisgood]

Oh I thought he was democratically voted into position. My apologies.

He canceled elections for the simple reason he wants to the war to continue.

 

[thomas]

Gentlemen, before this escalates further, let's please restrict this thread to the effects of Mr Trump's policies on Japan. Thank you.

 

[Ukigumo]

Gentlemen, before this escalates further, let's please restrict this thread to the effects of Mr Trump's policies on Japan. Thank you.

The USA has become such a huge economic power in the world that anything fool hardy that it does will effect Japan (and indeed, every other country). It is therefore only sensible to allow every other country in the world to control America, it's politics and economics. They can keep control of their long-winded sporting events and food, however.

 

[thomas]

I was reluctant to start this thread, as most Trump-related discussions we had during his first term went south fast. We cannot ignore the current global mayhem, but I'd like to keep the toxicity and disharmony at the forum to a minimum.

Hence, I'll focus on the Japanese government's reactions to the "reciprocal" tariffs imposed on Japanese goods.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa found surprisingly unambiguous words condemning Mr Trump's 24% tariff on Japan but disclosed no plans for retaliation. At a press conference on the morning of 3 April, he expressed deep regret and urged the U.S. to reconsider, citing concerns over its compliance with WTO and Japan-U.S. trade agreements. He warned the measure could disrupt bilateral economic ties, the global economy, and the multilateral trade system.

Japan lambastes Trump's tariff as 'extremely regrettable' | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[johnnyG]

He canceled elections for the simple reason he wants to the war to continue.

No elections have been canceled.

Even his opponents have agreed that now is not the time.

**

I mean really--how could you not more directly say that you're pro-trump and wholly swallowing fox news?