¬ The core of MAGA that shaped U.S. President Trump and Vice President Pence... Japan's "united" strategy since 50 years ago
¬ The Japan-U.S. Midwest Cooperation Conference will be held in Tokyo from July 7th to 9th, with Trump's close allies, major state governors, and Japanese companies investing in the U.S. attending. "The economic ties between the Midwest region of the U.S. and Japan are the core pillar supporting the alliance." ... White, low-educated workers, Trump promised to "revive manufacturing," South Korea has a shortage of budget for key positions... difficult to reach consensus with the U.S.
The U.S. Midwest refers to 12 states such as Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio, which are surrounded by the Great Lakes and the Great Plains. Local residents are modest and friendly, and there is a saying called "Midwestern Nice." However, at the same time, over the past several decades, the hollowing out of manufacturing has led to unemployment and reduced income, and a sense of inferiority among white people who have fallen behind in the competition has spread here.
The white lower-educated labor class, who are often derogatorily referred to as "rednecks" or "country bumpkins," has become a "swing voter" capable of influencing the outcome of national elections. It was they who made Donald Trump, an outsider who cried "MAGA (Make America Great Again)," the president. The vice president, seen as the successor to lead the MAGA empire after Trump, J.D. Vance, is also from Ohio.
Over the past half-century, Japan not only invested heavily in the U.S. Midwest but also concentrated its diplomatic efforts there. From July 7th to 9th, the Japan-Midwest Association (JMWA) and the Midwest-Japan Association (MWJA) held their annual meeting at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. This meeting alternates annually between the U.S. and Japan, and this year marks the 55th edition. Not only did officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry attend, but also high-level government representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Commerce, gathering hundreds of economic figures, determined to promote exchanges and cooperation in trade and investment. Last year's event in Columbus, Ohio, attracted about 400 participants, and it was a grand occasion.
This year, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Masahiko Tachibana, Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Kono, and Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeki Yamada attended, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-Japan cooperation against the backdrop of Trump's "tariff war," and passed a joint statement. Officials from the Japanese consulates responsible for the Midwest, including the Consul General in Chicago and Detroit, flew specially to Tokyo for the conference. The attendance of executives from Japanese-invested companies such as Toyota, All Nippon Airways (ANA), and Mitsubishi Logisnext was particularly notable.
July 7-9, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass delivered a speech at the 55th Japan-U.S. Midwest Association (JMWA) and Midwest-Japan Association (MWJA) annual meeting held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo./X (previous Twitter)
▲ On July 7-9, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a member of the Republican Party, delivered a speech at the 55th Japan-U.S. Midwest Association (JMWA) and Midwest-Japan Association (MWJA) annual meeting held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo./X (previous Twitter)
On the U.S. side, including long-time supporters of Trump, U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a potential Democrat, and Kentucky Lieutenant Governor David Tarnowski attended. Recently, Glass, who has been adept at "golf diplomacy" in Japanese diplomacy, said in his speech: "The Midwest, as the core of American manufacturing, is the driving force of the U.S.-Japan partnership," and "we have built industrial relationships and driven economic growth through decades of partnerships, creating numerous jobs in both traditional and emerging technology fields."
Pillen mentioned the history of Japanese immigrants coming to Nebraska in the Midwest 120 years ago and contributing to railway construction, emphasizing the friendship between the two countries. When the U.S. and Japan reached a trade agreement in July, Pillen was one of the first major administrative officials to express congratulations, and he is classified as a pro-Japanese person. In response, Japanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hashimoto Hiroyuki said: "The U.S.-Japan economic connectivity in the Midwest is one of the core pillars supporting the alliance."
Japan has actively promoted the message: "Japanese companies are making large investments in the Midwest, creating jobs." Mayors of five major cities in Indiana attended the reception on the last day of the conference (on the 9th). Hiroshi Mizutani, the Japanese Consul General in Chicago, responsible for 10 Midwestern states, stated: "There are currently 320 Japanese companies in Indiana, employing 71,000 people," and "the relationship between the two sides is based on trust, friendship, and cultural exchange." On the social media of the Japanese embassy in the U.S. and Japanese government officials, statements such as "Japan is the largest foreign investor and job creator in Kentucky" are frequently seen. The reason is that one of the priorities of the Trump administration is to revive American manufacturing and revitalize the Midwest economy. With the November midterm election approaching, it is being vigorously promoted. On the 17th, during Trump's state visit to the UK, Vance also visited a metal painting plant facility in Howell, Michigan, along with Labor Secretary Lorie Chaiten-Dremer.
▲ Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan (left 4) visits Japan and takes a photo with Prefectural Governor Makoto Mishima (left 5) of Shiga Prefecture./X (previous Twitter)
Based on the previous year, South Korea pledged an investment of $21.5 billion (approximately 29.67 trillion won), although it is the largest investor in the U.S., it failed to conduct matching close diplomacy with each state government. Korean companies investing in the Midwest face labor shortages, and local staff joke: "Technically, it's the U.S., but in reality, it's a wasteland." Taking Georgia, an economic engine rising in the south, as an example, modern cars and Hanwha are concentrated in investments here, and locals even say, "Thanks to South Korea, we can survive." But when the detention incident at the Modern Motor-LG Energy Solutions factory broke out, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican, supported the crackdown on illegal immigrants and remained indifferent until a week later, stating, "We will do our best to avoid this tragedy destroying the mutually beneficial partnership built over decades." Representative Buddy Carter of the Republican Party in the district where the Modern Motor factory is located posted a video of the crackdown action, saying, "I applaud such bold actions." In response, South Korean National Assembly Member Kim Jun-hyung recently sent a protest letter, saying, "It is disrespectful to accuse Koreans who have contributed to regional development."
The huge gap in diplomatic power between South Korea and Japan ultimately comes down to money. Japan has more than 20 lobbying companies and consulting firms, while South Korea is already struggling to contact the National Assembly or the federal government. In this situation, a specific Korean-American lobbying company has monopolized embassy business for over 10 years. The Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C. employs "Ballard Partners," a lobbying firm founded by Florida lobbyist Brian Ballard, who can directly contact Trump, to carry out diplomatic activities in line with the times and trends. Japanese consuls frequently travel between the Midwest and Tokyo, but the ambassador to the U.S., who should play a "command center" role, has been vacant for nearly three months. Among the nine Korean consulates in the U.S., New York, Houston, Atlanta, and Honolulu remain vacant. Since the Trump administration took office, unlike Japan's active efforts, South Korea has not reached any binding agreements with the U.S. in areas such as diplomatic security, economic trade, and summit talks.
▲ Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Shigeki Yamada (second from left) is taking a photo with Republican Congressman Andy Barr of the Kentucky district (third from left)./Japanese Embassy in the U.S.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7551656837129585204/
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