Ishiba says he will strive to avoid divisions after Trump-Zelenskyy row

Even Japan has to lay low to avoid the wrath of Trump-Putin.

The Art of the Deal, Lesson 1:

Don’t begin your meeting by repeatedly criticizing the attire of the other.

Japan is in a worrying position, with the self centred orange buffoon squatting in the Oval Office, the security umbrella it has relied on for 80 years is in doubt. With the oversized Oompa Loompa aligning him self with the autocrats and dictators, while destroying his country’s relationship with all its allies, the likes of Pooh bear, Fat boy and Poo tin can only be emboldened to further reckless adventures and Japan is squarely in the sights of at least two of them.

Looks like Trump is really taking the US over to the Russian side this time, and in the process betraying not just Ukraine but 80 years of common cause with the free nations of the world. Trump has confirmed he is a true lickspittle for Putin, so I guess the question is, how many Republicans will continue to suck up to Trump now? I don't imagine "Lickspittle to a Lickspittle" was the kind of epitaph most of them were hoping for, but there it is. Since they confirmed the likes of Hegseth, Gabbard, Patel, Bondi, Kennedy and the rest, putting dangerous extremists in charge of justice, the military, law enforcement, national security and intel, the erratic, enraged monarch in the White House now holds all the cards. Here we go.

Dear Japan..

Don't let US abuse you for its geopolitical whims..

Don't be the Asia's Ukraine..

The more far away from US, the better for the future..

Since they confirmed the likes of Hegseth, Gabbard, Patel, Bondi, Kennedy and the rest, putting dangerous extremists in charge of justice, the military, law enforcement, national security and intel, the erratic, enraged monarch in the White House now holds all the cards. Here we go.

That MAGA gang is a real danger for democracy and free world..

Trump's not doing to get drawn into WWIII with Russia under any circumstance.

No US boots on the ground, either a peace agreement or US proxy war support quickly ends; DJT his position clear to Zelensky and entire world, including PM Ishiba.

No US boots on the ground, either a peace agreement or US proxy war support quickly ends; DJT his position clear to Zelensky and entire world, including PM Ishiba.

Yes, Cadet Bone Spurs greed, venality and cowardice are clear for all to see.

Bobby Franks

Don’t begin your meeting by repeatedly criticizing the attire of the other.

Yet, they had no problem with Musk wearing a dorky t-shirt to a high-level White House cabinet meeting, the day before.

He means "I will suck whatever appendage is necessary in order for Trump not to say mean things about me on social media"

Japan, S-Korea and Taiwan need to be able to defend themselves alone. Perhaps they need to start developing their own nukes, fast.

"Japan must do everything it can to prevent division between the United States, Ukraine and the Group of Seven nations,"

Very true and the proper course of action for Japan.

But meantime, start planning for your country's defense on the premise that the United States is run by a Russian operative backed by his political party. How reliable is the US nuclear umbrella under these circumstances? Have a quiet discussion with others, like South Korea and Australia. I am sure they are thinking the exact same thing.

Putin is an arrogant, ungrateful brat. Glad Macron, Starmer and other real leaders called him out.

Putin has gotten too used to being gushed and fawned over by the whole MAGA/QAnon world. That ends now.

Perhaps they need to start developing their own nukes, fast.

Japan,South Korea,Taiwan were very small countries. They cannot change anything even they have nuclear arsenals. They are just inviting a total annihilation !

Who is going to believe America's credence after watching the shoutings in oval office between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy ?

I am not a Trump fans, I hate him raising tariffs on Chinese products. But I do applauding his diplomatic performance, the damage he done is extraordinary. I never have imagined a POTUS is so toxic to America like this !

Ukraine gave up nuclear believing the promise of protection from the US.

To all Japanese fellows, do you still believe the US will keep its "promise" for the US-Japan security pact ?

The time for Japan to re-arm was a decade ago, second best time was yesterday.

Ishiba said he will strive to avoid divisions between the United States, Ukraine and the G7

Sure! The Japanese gold decade of 1980s has long gone. Back then Japan can say: No !

The survival of Japan depends on America. Not just because Japan has three hostile neighbors but also the natural disaster relief relies on US.Japan is a vassal state well known.

Appease Donald Trump is survival 101 !

Diplomacy backed by compassion and perseverance must be employed to achieve peace..

Ishiba San time to show case your diplomatic skills, call up Zelenskyy and ask him to apologize, post that invite Trump and Zelenskyy for peace talks in Tokyo, and this time ensure the deal is done, do it..do it now.

“Japan,South Korea,Taiwan were very small countries. “

They are not much smaller than Russia. And a large population of a country does not mean it has a strong militaraly. I.e.. U.S. has never won a war without help, despite its size.

U.S. has never won a war without help, despite its size.

I believe the US beat the Spanish without any help. The US fought the Second Barbary War alone too. Nobody helped the US during the War of 1812 either.

PolarStarToday 10:08 am JST

“Japan,South Korea,Taiwan were very small countries. “

They are not much smaller than Russia. And a large population of a country does not mean it has a strong militaraly. I.e.. U.S. has never won a war without help, despite its size.

Yes the only strong countries are the international pariahs whose only allies are the "army, navy, and air force".

kiboushaToday 09:46 am JST

Ukraine gave up nuclear believing the promise of protection from the US.

not just the US...

Safe bet Ishiba will do even more listening than talking at the WH this time.

Ukraine gave up nuclear believing the promise of protection from the US.

To all Japanese fellows, do you still believe the US will keep its "promise" for the US-Japan security pact ?

The time for Japan to re-arm was a decade ago, second best time was yesterday

Japan has 45 tons of plutonium. there is no evidence that japan does not have nuclear weapon parts lying in close formation. japan can honestly say that it does not have nuclear weapons, but parts are not a weapon until the final components are added. quickly.

japan has not signed the non-proliferation treaty, in case anyone forgot.

i have no doubt that japan, a high-precision manufacturing powerhouse, is a few screwdriver turns away.

The blow-up between Trump and Zelenskyy during their meeting in Washington on Friday was "a rather unexpected development," Ishiba told reporters in Tokyo.

No it wasn't. The MAGAchurian potus signaled this blow-up long in advance as soon as he realized Zelenskyy was not going to let himself get shaken down for Ukraine's mineral wealth. The Trump/Vance televised ambush, like every event since this rogue administration came into office, was meticulously choreographed for the domestic audience, but, unfortunately for 47, this crude clown show bombed on the world stage.

I wonder how those young Ukrainian men who have been forced into conscription feel about Zelenskyy's pride and stubbornness to carry on a war they can't win...like meatbag fodder I suppose

Ishiba mate, don’t worry, you are not that consequential at this stage. Let the deal play out, Trumps methods are unconventional, but easy to understand and follow. Effective too.

Simple goal for us to all ponder.

we all want this war to end, right?

@Geeter Mckluskie

America needs a president who isn’t a half-second away from losing his cool.

Before his meltdown, he was ready to sign the agreement. After his meltdown, he was claiming Zelenskyy doesn’t want peace.

His rant about “Hunter Biden” during that meltdown was just embarrassing. Half of America was embarrassed about his behavior before the press conference. Afterward, most of America is ashamed.

“The "world" is at liberty to fund Ukraine's continued young men meatgrinder slaughter”

Well said, as long as their sons and daughters are in safe havens the young Ukrainian becomes the world guinea pigs while shedding crocodile tears sipping white and red wines.

Geeter MckluskieToday 10:50 am JST

I wonder how those young Ukrainian men who have been forced into conscription feel about Zelenskyy's pride and stubbornness to carry on a war they can't win...like meatbag fodder I suppose

Hopefully they realize that someone has to keep the terrorists from consuming more of their country.

Ricky Kaminski13Today 11:14 am JST

we all want this war to end, right?

Not if it just tees up further aggression the next month.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is not going to ruffle feathers.

Japan is the very bottom line definition, meaning of political pragmatism.

Watch, but don't touch, frown, however with silence.

Nod but, with the occasional sigh, maybe/never.

Japan have played the long game to perfection, enemies?

Wash you mouth out!

Japan has only a constitution devoted to peace, weapons of mass destruction, on your bike, sonny Jim!

Japan sells, never strikes.

i would not bet my life savings on that though.

Threatened, dare to find out

Full marks to Thailand for aligning with China than aligning with USA and getting flees.

Japan, S-Korea and Taiwan need to be able to defend themselves alone. Perhaps they need to start developing their own nukes, fast.

Why do Japan or South Korea need nukes? They are under no direct threat from anyone, and as far as we are seeing in the media, the countries of Asia, including Japan, South Korea and China are working to improve relations, not the opposite.

It should also be noted also that both Japan and South Korea already have very robust military capabilities.

No need to panic in Asia.

Geeter MckluskieToday  10:50 am JST

I wonder how those young Ukrainian men who have been forced into conscription feel about Zelenskyy's pride and stubbornness to carry on a war they can't win

I too can't help but sympathize with the soldiers. 

But they, and all Ukrainians, know they need credible promise of security even after a cease-fire. 

So, that doesn't come from Zelenskyy's stubbornness. I think he's not acting out of pride at all, but for the future of his people.  

Someone who is tackling something as difficult as what Zelenskyy faces doesn't have the luxury to think about personal pride.

Ishiba will try to avoid division? Not hard when you’re not under daily attack and the suddenly the school principal you’re used to has been replaced by the school bullies.

TamaramaToday 02:04 pm JST

Japan, S-Korea and Taiwan need to be able to defend themselves alone. Perhaps they need to start developing their own nukes, fast.

Why do Japan or South Korea need nukes? They are under no direct threat from anyone,

They are under the direct threat from NK, who someone allowed to have nukes...

TaiwanisnotChyna

They are under the direct threat from NK, who someone allowed to have nukes...

What kind of direct threat?

I wonder how those young Ukrainian men who have been forced into conscription feel about

maybe you should ask those Russia men that were forced into conscription or send to prision for protesting the war. more than one side in every war, maybe you should look constructively at both

TamaramaToday 04:11 pm JST

They are under the direct threat from NK, who someone allowed to have nukes...

What kind of direct threat?

The kind where there is no peace treaty ending the Korean War and Lil' Kim shoots his missiles over Japan regularly.

TaiwaninnotChyna

The kind where there is no peace treaty ending the Korean War and Lil' Kim shoots his missiles over Japan regularly.

Oh, OK, that.

So you confuse public posturing and show for a genuine and serious threat.

No surprises there, I guess.

MAGA = Moscow Agent Governing America

Tamarama

Russia and Japan have not yet signed a peace treaty to end World War II. Russia took Japanese islands and if Ukraine is left by itself what is stopping Russia to take more Japanese Islands?

Also Chinese naval ships have been spending record amounts of time in the waters around the Senkakus which they want from Japan.

If China and Russia work together a deal with Trump. What can Japan do?