This comes as something of a surprise! As the dust settles on the U.S. midterm elections, Taro Aso—long a behind-the-scenes figure—has emerged to speak out. On November 5, according to a report by the Sankei Shimbun, Aso, vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party and head of the Aso faction, stated at a meeting of his political faction that while the Republican Party’s heavy losses in the midterms were, to some extent, foreseeable, the way President Trump will conduct governance moving forward must not be taken lightly.
It is clear that Aso’s timing in issuing this statement reflects his anticipation that both domestic and foreign policies in the United States may undergo significant shifts following the midterms—a development that could potentially disrupt U.S.-Japan relations. With congressional control now held by Democrats, any substantial legislative progress on domestic issues for Trump will be highly constrained. However, foreign policy remains one of the president’s core powers. Given this, there is strong incentive for Trump to leverage diplomatic authority to counterbalance the electoral setback and lay groundwork for his potential re-election bid two years hence.
Aso’s warning to “not take it lightly” carries weight. As a former prime minister, a senior figure in Japanese politics, and a powerful member within the LDP, this remark serves as a signal to Japan’s political establishment: preparations must be made for the new phase in U.S. policy. In the context of U.S.-Japan relations, the Kishida administration will likely need to strike a delicate balance—maintaining stability with the Trump administration while simultaneously building constructive engagement with Congress, all without alienating either side. The goal will be to avoid giving the impression of diminished warmth toward Trump post-election, while also ensuring that Democrats do not feel sidelined.
Moreover, on issues of particular concern to Trump—such as Japan’s defense spending—the Japanese government must handle the matter with care. From the perspective of Sino-U.S. relations, Trump has an incentive to achieve tangible results through diplomacy, aiming to boost his public approval ratings ahead of future political endeavors. Amid ongoing tensions between Japan and China, Japan’s underlying anxiety centers on whether broader Sino-U.S. relations might ease. Aso’s remarks may thus reflect a strategic desire for Japan to closely monitor developments in U.S.-China interactions—particularly in light of the upcoming APEC summit.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881005571690499/
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