Conservative-leaning Japanese who previously supported US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House are having second thoughts, as his erratic foreign policy shifts and divisive rhetoric have raised concerns about Japan’s security and economic future.
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In the run-up to the US presidential election in November, Japanese conservatives expressed support for Trump because he had vowed to increase US defence spending and take a tough line on China over security and trade. They also hoped he could find a fair resolution to the Ukraine conflict and restrain North Korea’s military ambitions.
A December poll conducted by Gallup found that while 63 per cent of Japanese were concerned about the next US administration under Trump, 27 per cent of respondents said they felt hopeful about it.
But some Japanese who had staunchly supported a second Trump presidency said his early foreign policy moves had been “disastrous”.
“I’m very disappointed by a lot of what he has said and done,” said Ken Kato, a Tokyo-based small business owner who described himself as deeply conservative.
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Kato cited the example of Trump claiming on February 17 that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky had a public support rate of just 4 per cent, describing Zelensky as an “unelected dictator” and insisting that Ukraine – not Russia – started the war between the two countries.