U.S. trust erodes in Japan as Trump's perceived unpredictability casts doubts over security pledges: survey
The recent Asahi newspaper survey among 3,000 Japanese people unveiled a shaky confidence in the US's ability to safeguard their nation during a crisis, with merely 15% expressing faith in the United States.
Just a few weeks ago, these findings were revealed, indicating a significant drop from previous surveys showing over 40% confidence in the US's adherence to the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. The worries about the steadiness of the US under the Trump administration seem to be at an all-time high.
Stephen Nagy, a professor of international relations at Tokyo's International Christian University, voiced his concerns, stating that "the pessimism about the US under Trump in general is undeniable." He went on to add that the "high number of individuals here with such scant faith in the alliance is a matter the Japanese government should address."
The erratic behavior of the Trump administration has been under scrutiny, as Japan, alongside the rest of the world, grapples with the uncertainty this brings. From withdrawing from international agreements to shifting away from European allies, Japan remains on edge about potential abandonment.
Similarly, the evolving security landscape, specifically the advancements in China's and North Korea's military capabilities, escalates the need for strong reassurances on deterrence. This need for security guarantees from the US is far from being met.
The shift in the US's engagement and the trend towards isolationism further complicates the confidence in the alliance. The Trump administration's moves to make Japan shoulder more responsibility in regional security and drift away from dependence on the U.S. have added to the unease in Tokyo.
Compared to previous administrations, the Trump administration has appeared more unpredictable. While economic talks with Japan have shown optimism, this hasn't translated into increased confidence in the alliance's strategic components. Previous administrations, such as Obama's and Biden's, maintained more consistent foreign policies, which led to a greater sense of stability and trust in alliances.
- The Japanese government should address the high number of individuals with scant faith in the US-Japan alliance, given the significant drop in confidence in the US's ability to protect Japan, as revealed in a recent survey.
- The increased pessimism about the US under the Trump administration is undeniable, as only 15% of Japanese people expressed faith in the US's ability to safeguard their nation during a crisis.
- The evolving security landscape, including China's advancements in military capabilities, escalates the need for strong reassurances on deterrence from the US, a need that currently is far from being met.
- Despite optimism in economic talks with Japan, the Trump administration's unpredictable foreign policies have led to a decrease in confidence in the alliance's strategic components, in comparison to previous administrations such as Obama's and Biden's.
