Living As Toy Poodle

During legal dispute over immigration ban on certain nations in Middle East or Africa, the highly unpopular United States President Donald Trump showed warm hospitality for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe stayed in Trump’s private resort in Palm Beach, Fl, at Trump’s expense and played golf for one and a half round. Whet he achieved from Western media in his visit was nothing more than being dubbed as a toy poodle of Trump.

In spite of the fact that the main issue of the meeting of those top leaders was economy or security, the reporters in White House repeated questions on travel ban against the seven nations. To a question on ruling of 9^th Circuit Court to turn down an executive order for the travel ban, which was not directly related to the meeting, Trump reluctantly reiterated his general argument that he wanted to keep the country safe.

European media, which were negative on Trump’s executive orders, became sarcastic on Abe’s approach to U.S. President who was trying to exclude unwelcomed immigrants. Der Spiegel of Germany described Abe as one of the few world leaders who would not frown at Trump. Le Monde of France was skeptical on whether Abe would be able to flatter with gold and gifts.

Abe was actually successful in drawing words from Trump that Article 5 of Japan-U.S. Security Treaty would be applied to Senkaku Islands. “The basis of peace and prosperity in Asia-Pacific region is firm Japan-U.S. alliance,” told Abe in the joint press conference, “ and its tie is unshakable and I and President Trump will promote further enhancement.”

As contradicting his former reluctance of maintain U.S. troops in Okinawa without further help from the host nation, Trump was satisfied with Japan’s support for U.S. Force in Japan. “I also want to take this opportunity, Mr. Prime Minister, to thank you and the people of Japan for hosting our armed forces,” said Trump in the press conference.

However, application of Article 9 does not guarantee that U.S. will risk the lives of U.S. personnel for collision between Japan and China over those small and unpopulated islands. During their relaxed dinner with their spouses in Florida, North Korea launched a ballistic missile to Japan Sea. Abe and Trump appeared to the press, interrupting the dinner, and delivered statements accusing North Korea. It proved that close relationship between Japan and U.S. could cause degrading peace and stability in Northeast Asia to a certain degree.