Refusing New President

Japan still refuses cerebrating new President of Unite States. Newspapers reported on Monday how not only America but the world rejected Donald Trump in the streets. Asahi Shimbun wrapped up the protest as demonstration by 4.7 million people in 80 countries. Mainichi reported that over a half of the Japanese predicted deteriorated relationship between Japan and U.S. Division spreads out in the world.

The Japanese seem to be hoping to share the resentment against Trump with protesters in U.S. Newspapers reported women protesters with pink cap in Washington, D.C., claiming rights for women, sexual minority, disabled or environment, joined by Madonna or Scarlett Johansson. Their message included Black Lives Matter, Build Bridges Not Wall, or Climate Change Is Real. In New York, protesters including Whoopi Goldberg marched toward Trump Tower in Fifth Avenue, raising board reading Trump Makes America Hate.

Counter action could be seen in Europe. Right wing leaders advancing with populist policies got together in Germany to appeal their arguments. In Alternative European Summit, the Leader of Party for Freedom in Netherland, Geert Wilders, raised mostly the same messages of Trump: “Make my country great again” or “Elites jeopardize our freedom.” “Brexit was the first real blow to the old order,” told Marine Le Pen from France.

Seeing the world leaning on right wing, pessimistic sentiment spreads into Japanese society. In the poll of Mainichi, 56% of the respondents predicted that the relationship between Japan and U.S. would be worse than now, overtaking 29% of “no change” or 5% of “getting better.” In the poll last month, 45% of them had been thinking it no change. 51% expected new leader in Japan, indicating the same trend of populism in the world.

White House announced that Trump would have a meeting with British Prime Minister, Theresa May, in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Trump had telephone dialogue with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, or Mexcan President, Enrique Peña Nieto on Saturday. While dismissing North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, Trump took the first diplomatic step in traditional way. Although Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, tried to take early opportunity to meet Trump, hopefully this week, the turn for Abe will be in February. While it is still unclear whether Abe was recognized as a pet of new U.S. President, another nightmare for the Japanese is Abe to join international right wing trend.