The prime minister's attempts to build a good relationship with President Trump are embarrassing compared to European leaders who have voiced stern criticism of Trump's immigration policies.

Last time I looked the UK was still in Europe yet their PM has already held hands with Trump and already invited him to tea with the queen. No principles that can't be attenuated for the sake of the "special relationship" of servitude there, even, it seems, in the face of public opinion.

Why would Abe criticize Trump on this issue? They're both right-wing Nativists who want to keep others out. And it's not "embarrassing" to Japanese who by and large share Abe's xenophobic views.

xenophobic views

So why exactly is desiring for your country to remain homogeneous a bad thing?

Consistently backing the wrong horse, Abe, patron saint of lost causes, does it yet again.

He is not trying to suck up to the person but to the country. whatever people think of DT going it alone without the US is a fools game.

So why exactly is desiring for your country to remain homogeneous a bad thing?

Well, one good reason might be that in Japan's case it looks like it ultimately means enfeeblement and extinction. Few of us want that but one way or another Japan will change.

This is a ridiculous quote. Japan is export oriented and reliant on America on security and the economy. Only a traitor would deliberately try and sabotage this arrangement which has brought untold prosperity to Japan for the past 50 years..

I am not shocked at Abe with this at all. I do think though Abe needs to be careful because while he thinks Trump might not be out to get Japan, I think Trump will certainly start playing hardball and when that happens, Shinzo won't know what hit him.

The prime minister's attempts to build a good relationship with President Trump are embarrassing compared to European leaders who have voiced stern criticism of Trump's immigration policies.

JT is right. It is the quote of the day. And a damn good one too. Now would anyone here want to call Mr.Mataichi a Japan basher for this comment?

Last time I looked the UK was still in Europe yet their PM has already held hands with Trump and already invited him to tea with the queen.

True, but she is neither European nor is she what most would consider a leader.

Why would Abe criticize Trump on this issue? They're both right-wing Nativists who want to keep others out. And it's not "embarrassing" to Japanese who by and large share Abe's xenophobic views.

EXCELLENT observation!

So why exactly is desiring for your country to remain homogeneous a bad thing? Well, one good reason might be that in Japan's case it looks like it ultimately means enfeeblement and extinction. Few of us want that but one way or another Japan will change.

Exactly! Also, what do you do with the few that are different? Mass deportation? Gas chambers?

I think that Japan and the Japanese people by and large are looking at Trump and are caught in a dilemma: they see what a disaster his policies are not only at home but potentially to Japan's economy and they hate him, BUT at the same time, I believe they are well aware of the parallels between Trump's way of thinking and not only Abe's but also of the Japanese people's in general, and they are unable to bring themselves to criticize him because they know that Trump, and indeed the world, will EASILY draw and highlight these parallels.

Trump is the mirror that reflects Japan's xenophobia and protectionism, and it hits too close to home for them to be able to look away. I said it before- I'll say it again- Trump may be a global disaster, but he just may end up being the bad medicine Japan has to swallow to finally bring about the social change that is so desperately needed here.

I'm not sure Aly. I have had so many Japanese people tell me they think Trump is crazy but fail to realize that Japan already has many of the same policies already in place. Someone was commenting on this "don't let refugees in" type thing and I had to walk away before I asked them if they were aware of how unfriendly japan is to asylum seekers. I think people here don't see the parallels. I wish they did.

What about Japan's immigration policies? Funny that Europe can criticize Trump, who, despite his ban, will still allow thousands of refugees to come to America, and tens of thousands of legal immigrants, where as Japan allows 28 refugees, and extremely few legal immigrants. Where is Europe's criticism of Japan?

If you are in Japan illegally, and are caught, you are deported almost instantly. If you are a legal immigrant, and commit a crime, you are deported instantly. In America if you are caught in the country illegally, you are cited and released, and told to appear in court on a set day. Very few of these people bother to appear in court. And even if you are in the country illegally, and commit a crime, as soon as you are ROR'd or serve your sentence for that crime, you will not likely be deported. In many cases, illegal aliens ("undocumented immigrant" is not a legal term) commit felonies and/or violent crimes, and are still not deported, like the illegal alien (and convicted felon, previously deported 5 times) who shot and killed Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco with a stolen gun.

The really sad thing is, marie, you're probably right. Iwish you weren't, but you probably are. Some might get it though. And if we spread the word to the Japanese we know, this might be the seed with which public discourse starts. Like you though, I'm not holding my breath.

I am not necessarily an Abe supporter, however Abe's attempts to build a relationship with Trump are not embarrassing. Remove the emotions from all of this and this is a very pragmatic and smart move as the U.S. is Japan's most important ally. This is one area where relations in business parallel those in the political arena. It is often better to check the ego at the door and do what is best for one's country (by the way I am in no way implying President Trump is capable of checking his ego at the door).

Remove the emotions from all of this and this is a very pragmatic and smart move as the U.S. is Japan's most important ally. Yes an no. If Trump kicks off with China (like it seems he wants to do) Japan will be the one that pays the price.

Birds of a feather?

hopefully japan will adapt a stricter approach to immigration from certain countries. take a look at europe recently. japan is a great place to live becasue its safe, keep it that way, Abe. no refugees please

He probably doesn't speak any English so how would he know what was said?