“Trump has made some erratic decisions towards countries that believed themselves to be America’s friends,” said Jeffrey Hall, lecturer at Japan’s Kanda University of International Studies.

“There was a fear in Tokyo that the same might happen: that Trump might slap huge tariffs on Japan or start some dispute. But that didn’t happen,” he added.

Trump ‘study sessions’
While Trump didn’t rule out tariffs against Tokyo, it wasn’t the main feature of this meeting.

Ishiba went to Washington prepared. He’d studied. Literally. he held “study sessions” with staff and sought advice from his predecessor, Fumio Kishida.

He also had some help from the widow of the late former PM Shinzo Abe, who had a close relationship with Trump during his first presidency, forged on the golf course.

Ishiba’s homework paid off.

Apart from when Trump mistakenly referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there weren’t many eye-raising moment like the many other announcements by the US president.

In fact – as far as Japan is concerned – this meeting was reassuring.
Japan PM Ishiba’s Donald Trump study sessions pay off at talks
Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba’s visit to the U.S. focused on strengthening trade relations, with plans to invest $1 trillion in the U.S. and expand LNG imports. The discussions also involved Nippon Steel’s investment in U.S. Steel. Despite Japan’s cautious stance on issues like the Gaza Strip and China, Ishiba’s personal approach to diplomacy with Trump seems to have been a success, avoiding confrontation and offering economic incentives