If Japan protested it, it was actually an ally and friend of the United States in the Asia region and the increasingly unstable Pacific region, it got it and then some.

But what was noticeable about the Trump Achiba meeting at the White House is what happened.

Unlike most local and international dynamics Trump yet, this was neither controversial nor confrontation.

“On the TV screens, it is very scary,” Japanese Prime Minister Shigro Eshiba told reporters after a meeting on Friday.

“But when I met him, he was very honest, very strong and strong,” he added.

There is a lot that connects Washington and Tokyo. Japan was the best foreign investor in the United States for five consecutive years, creating thousands of jobs. There are 54,000 American military personnel stationed in Japan.

But President Donald Trump has given his friends and enemies a lot of concern: from the wars of tariffs against China, Canada and Mexico to “ownership” for Gaza’s proposal and Sanctions against the International Criminal Court.

“Trump has made some wrong decisions towards the countries that I believed were the friends of America,” said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Canada International University in Japan.

“There was a fear in Tokyo that the same thing would happen: that Trump might slap a huge tariff on Japan or some conflict begins. But this did not happen,” he added.

While Trump did not rule out the definitions against Tokyo, it was not the main feature of this meeting.

Ishiba went to Washington. He studied. literally. Fill the “study sessions” with employees and ask for advice from his predecessor, Fumio Kishida.

He also received some assistance from the widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had a close relationship with Trump during his first presidency, at the golf course.

Ishiba home duties pay off.

Regardless of when Trump accidentally referred to Nippon Steel as “Nissan”, there was not much a moment to raise the eye like many other ads provided by the American President.

In fact – regarding Japan – this meeting was reassuring.

It seems that both leaders have met hard on their countries’ plans to enhance trade and defense in the “Golden Age” of relations between Japan and the United States.

Ishiba announced his country’s plans to increase investment in the United States to one million dollars (806 billion pounds), as the trade relations of the two economic powers.

Ishiba said that Japanese car makers will condense investment, while Tokyo will expand the imports of natural gas (LNG).

This was the music of Trump’s ears and an increase in the declaration of “drilling, child, drilling” from the opening letter.

The two men also managed to find a common ground on the controversial issue of Nippon Steel.

Trump said Nippon was “investing heavily” in the United States, based in Pennsylvania, without obtaining a majority share.

The Japanese attempt to acquire US steel was banned by President Joe Biden on national security.

There were adequate boxes for Japan to breathe easily – but the main purpose of Ishiba’s visit was personal.

The Japanese Prime Minister was in a dangerous political situation at home – with the minority government that maintains a weak grip on power after that They were insulted in the general elections for the month of October when they lost their ruling majority.

Ishiba was desperate to win.

The man himself did not raise great confidence in how to get him out against Trump’s notorious Trump.

“For weeks, the local media played the idea that he will not succeed in a diplomat – that he was a peach, not a social person and that Trump will eat his lunch, if it arrived in Washington,” said Mr. Hall.

But Ishiba is going far, very similar to success.

The former Japanese Minister of Defense is a veteran politician known for the heavy speeches in Parliament. Observers said that such speeches were able to confuse some of his opponents and carry others.

But at the Trump strategy meeting with his employees, the biggest advice he got was: “The conclusion first. Keep it simple.”

Mr. Hall said: “Ishiba followed a book to play Trump personally and submit it to economic investments in the United States instead of confronting it,” said Mr. Hall.

There are many issues that Japan and the United States cannot agree. Not the least of it is Trump A proposal to acquire the United States on the Gaza tapeWhich has sparked fierce criticism all over the world.

Japan repeated its long -term position to support the two -state solution.

“We will not change our position,” said Foreign Minister Takishi Eia last week.

Tokyo is also watching Trump’s trade war with China Nervously.

But Hall said that Japan would not be attracted to the US -Chinese trade war if it might help it.

When it comes to China, Japan needs a good balance.

Beijing is the largest commercial partner in Tokyo. China is one of the largest investment destinations for Japanese companies.

On the defense and diplomatic front, the United States and Japan face a challenge through the increasing Chinese influence and affirmation in the region and globally.

Not the least with the Chinese army Now frequent and provocative moves in the water near Taiwan That sees Beijing as a rebel boycott.

In 2022, Japan, a porous country, announced that it would double its military spending by 2027, citing the threats posed by China and North Korea, and says it will get the ability to hit the enemy’s bases.

The most exciting changes in the comprehensive reform of the security strategy in Japan were distinguished because it adopted a porous constitution after World War II.

With North Korea continuing its nuclear program and South Korea in the political collapse and the continuous competition of the United States of China, Japan has once again presented itself as a less challenging friend in America in the region.

“Japan will avoid any formation with Trump when it’s possible. You are likely to become a friend” yes “,” Hall said.