United States President Donald Trump made
his first visit to Japan on Sunday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomed the
leader of “indispensable ally” of Japan at a prestigious golf course in the
suburb of Tokyo and at a teppanyaki steakhouse in Ginza. Both leaders appealed
their bilateral relationship as in the best condition and stood together for
dealing with unsettled regional issues.
US Air Force One arrived at Yokota Air Base
in the Sunday morning. Trump immediately gave a speech to US and Japanese
Self-defense Force personnel, stressing importance of US-Japan alliance. “We
dominate the sky. We dominate the sea. We dominated the land and space,” Trump
told to the servicemen and women in a manner reminding of Presidential election
campaign last year. He insisted on working together with Japan to promote a
free and open Indo-Pacific region.
News reports focused on how Trump would
refer to North Korea. Newspapers and TV footage quoted a determined sentence of
Trump, “No one, no dictator, no regime and no nation should underestimate ever
American resolve,” indicating strong position against Kim Jong-un regime in
North Korea without direct mentioning. “Every once in a while in the past they
underestimated us. It was not pleasant for them. Was it?” stressed Trump. On
his way to Japan in Air Force One, Trump indicated possible registration of
North Korea on the list of the state sponsors of terrorism.
Trump moved from Yokota to Kasumigaseki
Country Club in Saitama with Marine One, where Abe was waiting for him. They
exchanged a golf cap, embroidered as “Donald and Shinzo make alliance even
greater” before the round with Japanese pro golf player, Hideki Matsuyama who
declared to take advantage of the experience for his golf life. Abe insisted on
the usefulness of golf diplomacy as detailed dialogue in a frank and relaxed
mood.
Trump and Abe moved to a steak restaurant
with Presidential limousine from the hotel Trump was staying. In the dinner
with their spouses, they enjoyed Tajima wagyu and Ise lobster. It is not clear
whether Trump dumped his beloved ketchup on wagyu or lobster. To support their
swift moving in the Capital of Japan, Japanese police laid strict security on
the roads of metropolitan Tokyo.
There were some criticisms on those luxury
treats. Hibakusya in Hiroshima or people in Okinawa hoped Trump to visit their
hometown to see what was going on the land of nuclear devastation or occupation
of US military base. “We need to recognized well about the administration not enjoying
full credibility of US citizens,” told former Minister of Defense Shigeru Ishiba.
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