Realignment in the Pacific left China unprepared

.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s White House visit signaled a pivotal moment in Japan’s diplomatic strategy amid shifting global power dynamics. As the second foreign leader to meet with President Trump, Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to its alliance with the U.S. while carefully navigating tensions with China. His visit came as Washington and Beijing teetered on the edge of a trade war, and Japan sought to stabilize its uneasy relationship with China. With South Korea and Taiwan facing internal challenges, Japan’s regional influence is more critical than ever. The meeting bolstered U.S.-Japan ties but heightened anxieties in Beijing.

.