What do you think the Japan-U.S. relationship will be like after Donald Trump takes power?

Define "worse". It would be great if he sucked back the armed contigent around the globe and stop supporting shady "abenomical" decisions. This way he will really improve the relationship by making it at least fair.

To the extent the new administration is stable, firm, and allies know exactly where USA stands on issues, it will improve.

It seems that Japan would have to defend its own country in the future whether it has security treaty with US or not. And it seems that so many soldiers stationed in Okinawa would go back to US and most would be out of job there. However it would be able to save a lot of taxpayers money to build great wall on the border at least.

I expect even more obsequy from the LDP. And that's saying something.

Too broad of a question to give a definitive answer. Like Daniel says you'll need to define what better and/or worse mean to give this questionnaire any meaning.

One thing I can say for sure is that relationship will have to change with new rules. The question is does Abe understand that because trying to maintain the present quo is not going to happen.

Trump has zero patience is not a career government employee and somehow he's going to create a relationship that takes with someone who takes too long to make a decision? It's the Odd Couple and the result isn't functional by design

Japan pays all the costs of US military in Japan, and thereby the military becomes mercenary to Japanese government. It is a win-win situation for both Trump and Abe. He can send them to North Korea or China without risking the lives of Japanese. What an irony.

Japan has so many US military bases and soldiers all over places, especially in Okinawa. It seems that Japan does not need that too many bases only to defend a little Japan. It is said that Japan pays 70% for US military bases and US pays 30% of the total. If the some Okinawa's military bases (equivalent to 30% badget) go back to US, Okinawans would be very happy about it and Trump also would be happy about it.

Well, the TPP has already been scrapped, which Japan will be very happy about. This means they won't have to change any of the protectionist and price fixing practices for the agricultural industry. So, the relationship has gotten better, for now. However, let's just wait and see what happens with the military bases in Japan and how much Japan has to pay for the occupation. Then, let's wait and see what happens with all the Japanese car companies that are in deep poop in the US. I have no doubt Trump will be starting to pressure them to get the problems solved and compensation paid at a governmental level. He is not a politician. He is a businessman!

kwatt - Japan has so many US military bases and soldiers all over places, especially in Okinawa. It seems that Japan does not need that too many bases only to defend a little Japan

Wow! That's such a naive statement! The US military presence in Japan has nothing to do with "defending little Japan". It is for a US military presence in Asia giving quick access to China, North Korea and Russia. Japan is just a conveniently positioned staging point. There is no chance of Trump reducing the number of US military personnel in Japan. In fact, he is more likely to increase it. That will make the Japanese happy, NOT!

Wow! That's such a naive statement! The US military presence in Japan has nothing to do with "defending little Japan". It is for a US military presence in Asia giving quick access to China, North Korea and Russia. Japan is just a conveniently positioned staging point. There is no chance of Trump reducing the number of US military personnel in Japan. In fact, he is more likely to increase it. That will make the Japanese happy, NOT!

It seems that Trump really does not care about such US military presence in Asia. He thinks the presence is wasting money and wants to stop world police any more. He is a businessman. Japan will not pay 100% for US military bases, hence most of them would go back to the US. That is he said to the world.

Good time to get USA out of Japan.

Then, let's wait and see what happens with all the Japanese car companies that are in deep poop in the US.

It was US request that Japan shifted production there from Japan. If they come back to Japan, that would be good for Japan too

The best thing for Japan to do is avoid all contact with him and his administration.

As Obama recently said, Trump was pragmatic, and will likely deal with the US-Japan relationship pragmatically. I much prefer that to any ideological relationship.

I think Trumps cut and dry style will keep Japan somewhat honest...

With that said, yes, Trump is a businessman, but the golden rule of business is that you never offer a deal unless it's "win-win". No one happily accepts any deal if it only benefits one side (the US). Trump knows this, so he will only offer one-sided deals that he knows won't bite him back in the future. Otherwise, I don't think Trump will ruffle too many feathers.

Well, the TPP has already been scrapped, which Japan will be very happy about. This means they won't have to change any of the protectionist and price fixing practices for the agricultural industry. So, the relationship has gotten better, for now.

this shows you have a very basic and shallow understanding of TPP, like Trump and Bernie's supporters. Do some reading on the subject please, but you are right TPP is dead but Japan Inc.. isn't happy

this shows you have a very basic and shallow understanding of TPP, like Trump and Bernie's supporters. Do some reading on the subject please, but you are right TPP is dead but Japan Inc.. isn't happy

...a little hard do some reading on the subject since it was mostly discussed behind closed doors.

While Abe and Trump might get along and do 'great deals' together, I don't think we can expect any positive points for the little Japanese salaryman.

It will improve because when Abe asks Trump "How high should I jump President Trump?" The Donald will then hold his arm up higher than Obama did four years prior and that will be the difference in improvement in the US-Japan relationship. Next stupid question. Go!

@kwatt do you really think this is going to happen? I doubt it. Let's see. Military advisors will speak in a chorus about not upsetting the apple cart. Everything affects everything else. How much republican support will Humpty-Frumpy keep if he retreats and causes panic/instability for Japan, Vietnam, S. Korea, Taiwan, etc. I don't see it. But let's see if he really wants to rile up the establishment (neocons, realists, etc.).

The fact that Trump openly allows Ivanka to attend a private meeting with Abe speaks volumes.

I see headaches and conflicts ahead as Trump further tries to spread his global business empire, one tentacle at a time.

Hey, don't look at me, I didn't vote for him.

First I did not know that Japan/USA relationship was have any troubles ( The relationship will get worse than it is now.) Will it improve. For whom will improve, Japan or USA ? The relationship will generally be about the same as it is now. What is now like ? The first point implied that it was deteriorating but Obama and Abe have stated the opposite. So what a balls up with the three selection. None make sence. I think the selection should be as followed. 1: Will the relationship deteriorate. 2: Will it get better for Japan or the USA 3: Stay the status quo. I say it will go bad with Trump at the Helm

I want to.be positive but unfortunately Toranpu san is making Japanese look very stupid. Abe looked very worried when he met Toranpu since. I pray that relations do not get worse however as a Japanese I am very worried for the hitobito of Japan.

Frump will not be that involved in these types of things. Perhaps the problems will come with competence. Since he is not one to focus much on details, facts, policy, history, etc., various voices will be competing for influence and power. While Frump is tweeting, things will hum along or not. A lot of the damage that can be done may be long term. But people have short memories. Republicans will have control of everything. They can weaken regulations, pull out of climate deals, cancel health insurance, appoint extremists to the courts that will ignore civil rights protections and favor the 1%, set in motion the deterioration of women's health and choice opportunities, etc. Will T-bag really try to carry out personal vendettas, enrich himself, etc? Or will the people around him protect him from himself? Meanwhile policy will get made by the folks around him. When mistakes are made, He won't be knowledgeable or engaged. It depends on what kinds of crises arise. Meanwhile, what will happen with foreign policy? What kind of ideology do they have? I doubt they'd want to change much with Japan. War with Iran, maybe? That's a nightmare. Yeah, it's the big crises to watch out for. He'll react badly domestically and internationally. Then, we may really see reactionism and counter-reactionism. Otherwise, many policies will take a toll over the long-term for working Americans.

With someone as unsuitable for the office of POTUS as Trump it is impossible to know. He doesn't even know the answer himself. So it really is second guessing to be able predict what a US/Japan relationship will be under the leadership of a highly erratic, emotionally undeveloped person who sees bombast as an effective substitute for diplomacy.