Donald Trump’s return to the White House has sparked a wave of anxiety and cautious hope across Japan, a nation deeply intertwined with America’s economic and security policies.
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While the Japanese government offered measured congratulations, the public response has been far more conflicted: a mix of concern over tariffs, rising regional tensions and Trump’s “America First” isolationism.
“Everything just seemed more unstable the last time he was president,” said Kanako Hosomura, a housewife from Yokohama. “I worry that is going to happen again.”
Official congratulations swiftly followed Trump’s inauguration on Monday, with Emperor Naruhito sending a formal message and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba posting about his hopes for strengthening the Japan-US alliance on social media.
“I look forward to collaborating with you to reinforce the enduring Japan-US partnership,” Ishiba wrote. Yet his optimism contrasted sharply with the mood among the wider public.
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