'Macho' vs 'Nerd' Images: Two Leaders Who Seem Mismatched on the Surface
Ishiba, Who Clashed with Abe, Does Not Share Trump's Golf Hobby
Studying Trump Intensively Ahead of U.S. Visit
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba arrived and moved at Andrews Joint Base in Maryland near Washington DC, USA, on the 6th (local time). Prime Minister Ishiba will hold his first US-Japan summit with US President Donald Trump at the White House on the 7th (local time). /AP·Yonhap News
Interest has grown over whether Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who is holding his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on the 7th (local time), can build a U.S.-Japan relationship that surpasses that of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Trump, a self-proclaimed 'golf enthusiast' with macho tendencies, and Ishiba, who has a 'nerd' image, are generally seen as an unlikely match. However, since the Japanese government has been studying an 'Abe imitation' strategy since Trump's election in November last year, there is speculation that a turnaround could occur.
The British magazine The Economist noted on the 6th (local time) that "it will be difficult for Prime Minister Ishiba to replicate the relationship between former Prime Minister Abe and President Trump," citing Ishiba's characteristic of not playing golf. It also pointed out that Ishiba's long-standing political rivalry with former Prime Minister Abe is a factor that complicates his relationship with President Trump. In fact, President Trump declined Ishiba's request for a meeting before his inauguration on the 20th of last month, while he invited Abe's wife, Abe Akie, to a dinner at Mar-a-Lago in December last year. This reflects Trump's special regard for former Prime Minister Abe.
This has been a concern for the Japanese government since last year. According to Japan's Asahi Shimbun, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had early on advised Prime Minister Ishiba to engage in 'golf diplomacy,' as golf played a decisive role in building the friendship between former Prime Minister Abe and President Trump.
One of his predecessors, former Prime Minister Abe, was considered President Trump's closest ally. Abe, who was assassinated during a campaign rally in 2022, made a trip to New York just nine days after Trump's surprising election victory on November 17, 2016. Abe visited Trump Tower carrying a set of gold-plated golf clubs as a gift. He was the first foreign head of state to meet President Trump. Thanks to Abe's warm hospitality and consistent communication efforts, Trump came to refer to him as a "fantastic friend." Until Abe stepped down from the prime ministership in September 2020, the two held 14 face-to-face summits and 37 official phone calls over three years and eight months.
The difference in temperament between Ishiba, known as the so-called 'otaku prime minister,' and the macho President Trump and his close aides is also seen as an obstacle. 'Otaku' is a Japanese term meaning 'mania' or 'enthusiast.' Ishiba is known as a plastic model collector and an 'idol fan.' He is known to be a fan of the 1970s Japanese girl group 'Candies.' The Economist assessed that "to President Trump and his 'macho' aides, these tastes are anything but 'cool.'"
However, there is also speculation that meaningful results could emerge since Prime Minister Ishiba has devoted considerable effort to 'studying Trump' ahead of this visit to the U.S. The day before, he received briefings on the current state of U.S.-Japan relations from senior government officials, including former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. He also sought advice from several people, including SoftBank Group Chairman Son Jeong-ui, who is knowledgeable about the U.S. economy. Considering President Trump's emphasis on personal trust with foreign leaders, the Japanese government has assigned Takao Sunao, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office for U.S.-Japan Security Affairs, who served as Abe's English interpreter, to interpret. Takao also interpreted a phone call between Ishiba and President Trump before Trump's inauguration in November last year.
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