TOKYO — On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance of bolstering the alliance between Japan and the United States as a crucial element for regional stability. He expressed his eagerness to have discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the near future.
Ishiba’s comments come at a time of heightened concerns regarding China’s assertive military presence, which has included incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters, as well as joint military activities with Russia in the region. Additionally, North Korea’s ongoing ballistic missile tests aimed at advancing its nuclear capabilities add further to the prevailing tensions.
Currently leading a minority government after his party faced a significant setback in the October elections, Ishiba is navigating through public discontent tied to financial scandals within his party.
“I hope to hold talks with President-elect Trump at the earliest opportunity to elevate the Japan-U.S. alliance to new heights,” Ishiba stated during a news conference that marked the conclusion of the parliamentary session for the year. He reiterated the need for a shared understanding regarding the developments in Northeast Asia to enhance the alliance further.
Prior to this, Ishiba had attempted to meet with Trump soon after his recent electoral victory in the United States. However, he was informed that U.S. protocols limited such interactions prior to Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Nonetheless, Ishiba mentioned that during a dinner last week with Akie Abe, the widow of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump indicated a willingness to meet with Ishiba around mid-January. The former Prime Minister had established a strong rapport with Trump.
While specific details of the meeting have yet to be finalized, both parties are currently working to establish an appropriate timeframe for their discussions, as noted by Ishiba.
Domestically, the Prime Minister is contending with challenges from the opposition, marking a notable shift for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has traditionally exerted substantial control over legislation in parliament. This has been seen as a continuation of the previous administration’s more autocratic approach to governance.
On Tuesday, Ishiba conveyed his commitment to actively listen to opposition voices and foster a broad consensus on proposed political reforms and supplementary budget plans. Additionally, he committed to advancing discussions about potential changes to laws governing surnames for married couples, which currently mandates the adoption of a single household surname. This regulation has predominantly led women to take their husbands’ surnames, resulting in criticism for its perceived gender bias in Japan and internationally.
Support for changing the surname policy has been growing, with many opposition lawmakers and even influential business organizations aligning with the idea, challenging the long-standing resistance from conservative factions within the LDP.
