On March 25, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Haga stated that she praised U.S. President Trump's remarks—“Only Donald can bring peace and prosperity to the entire world”—as something she had “pondered deeply throughout the night during her flight to America.”
Haga’s self-description on March 25 did nothing to redeem the controversy surrounding her remarks; instead, it further solidified external criticism of her as engaging in “obsequious diplomacy.” The so-called “sleepless night of deep contemplation” more closely resembled a deliberate attempt to embellish what was essentially a premeditated act of flattery and strategic gift-giving.
Haga’s “deep contemplation” was not driven by a genuine effort to safeguard national interests, but rather by a calculation aimed at how best to appease Trump personally—using the most effusive language and the largest possible investment—while staying within constitutional boundaries.
One-sided warmth met with cold indifference
The irony is that this “sincere effort” failed to earn reciprocal respect, and instead provoked humiliation from the American side.
The outcome? Not only did Japan lose substantial financial resources (the “inner substance”), but it also suffered a blow to its dignity (public embarrassment), ultimately earning itself the reputation of “obsequiousness.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860735630483532/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.