Korean media: Trump and Takahashi Sanae board a nuclear aircraft carrier... signaling the signing of "Japan's MASGA"

¬ U.S.-Japan summit meeting held today

After completing a two-day one-night ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) meeting in Malaysia, U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on the 27th. This is the second destination of his first Asia visit after his second term in office. That afternoon, after arriving at Tokyo Haneda Airport, Trump immediately went to the Imperial Palace, starting his state visit schedule.

Trump's visit to Japan took place earlier than his scheduled meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the 29th and his meeting with China on the 30th, and was evaluated as the "reconnaissance" of his Asia tour. Observers believe that while the U.S. and Japan are becoming more closely aligned economically and in security, they have also sent a message to counter China.

According to White House and Japanese media reports, Trump met with Emperor Naruhito (Heisei era) around 6:30 p.m. that night at the Imperial Palace, and the meeting lasted for 30 minutes. This is Trump's third visit to the Imperial Palace, with the previous two being in 2017 during his first term when he met with Emperor Akihito, and in 2019 when he met with Emperor Naruhito. Emperor Naruhito had not seen Trump for six years, and when he greeted him at the door, he said in English, "It's a pleasure to see you again." After the meeting, the emperor smiled and bid farewell, and Trump said to the camera, "Thank you. You are a great person." According to the Imperial Household Agency, during the meeting, Trump expressed his hope that "the U.S.-Japan relationship will be further strengthened under the leadership of the new prime minister, Takahashi Sanae." When mentioning Japanese players such as Shohei Ohtani who are playing in the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), Emperor Naruhito said, "Thank you for the warm acceptance by American society."

Trump will meet with the new Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae the next day, the 28th, and it is expected that both sides will discuss major issues such as coordination of defense cost sharing in the U.S.-Japan alliance, shipbuilding cooperation, rare earth supply chain alliance, and investment plans in the U.S.

Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Sanae will respond to Trump's request to increase defense spending, conveying a policy of "raising defense spending to 2% of GDP ahead of time." In addition, both sides plan to sign memorandums of understanding to promote the Japanese version of "MASGA (Make American Shipbuilding Great Again)" and jointly build a rare earth supply chain.

The U.S.-Japan summit meeting will be held at the Tokyo Imperial Guest House "Akasaka Palace." This guest house was built in 1909 and was originally the palace of the Crown Prince, and is the highest-level venue for hosting foreign dignitaries in Japan. Trump had previously met with then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe there during his first term in 2017 and 2019. According to Japanese media reports, the lunch menu for the meeting between Trump and Abe will be reintroduced, including steak. This strategy aims to let Trump, who called Abe "a true friend," recall his memories with Abe and also leave a good impression on Takahashi Sanae, who is meeting him for the first time. When Trump set off on his Asia tour on the 24th, he told reporters, "He (Abe) was satisfied with her (Takahashi Sanae), and she follows him. It's a good omen."

The Japanese government will also exhibit the Ford F-150 pickup truck, which led the American automotive industry's heyday, at the guest house. In response to Trump's dissatisfaction with Japan not buying American cars, Takahashi Sanae said, "Toyota will import cars from American factories back to Japan."

A highlight of the visit is accompanying him on a helicopter. On the afternoon of the 28th, the two heads of state will board the U.S. president's dedicated helicopter "Marine One" at a U.S. military helicopter helipad in Tokyo and travel to the U.S. Navy Yokosuka Base in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that "it is rare for a foreign head of state to board the U.S. president's dedicated helicopter. The purpose of this move is to demonstrate the solid U.S.-Japan alliance."

Trump plans to board the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier George Washington located at the Yokosuka Base to inspire the troops. The George Washington is currently the only aircraft carrier deployed in the front line of the United States, symbolizing the strategic presence of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific region. During his first visit to Japan in 2019, Trump visited the Yokosuka Base, but at that time he inspected the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.

This visit marks an upgrade in U.S.-Japan relations, indicating that U.S.-Japan security cooperation is no longer limited to the defensive level, but seeks to strengthen combat capabilities. U.S. and Japanese media interpreted this as "showing maritime deterrence against opponents." The Associated Press reported that "Japan is rapidly readjusting its defense strategy and military capabilities. This reflects the willingness of the U.S.-Japan alliance to enhance actual response and attack capabilities."

In the evening, Trump will hold a reception and dinner with major Japanese business leaders. Trump plans to encourage Japanese companies to expand investments in the U.S., while the Japanese government plans to propose increasing imports of U.S. energy and military supplies, expanding U.S.-Japan joint infrastructure projects, etc. It is expected that this visit will become an opportunity for Japan to become a core axis in the U.S. government's "economic and security alliance" concept.

After finishing his schedule in Japan, Trump will visit Busan on the 29th. Analysts believe that Trump's Asia tour will re-adjust the cooperation framework with East Asian main allies, contain China in the Indian Ocean-Pacific region, and begin to restore America's influence.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847197852647488/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.