Former Prime Minister Abe: "The Reason I Was Able to Win Trump's Heart Was..."

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe cited "sincerity and devotion" as the reason he was able to win the favor of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In an interview with the Sankei Shimbun on the 15th, former Prime Minister Abe said, "Although there was a cold atmosphere toward President Trump in the international community, I believed that as the leader of an allied country, the U.S. president must be shown the highest respect, so I put my utmost sincerity into every meeting."

At the 2018 G20 Summit held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seen conversing with U.S. President Donald Trump (right).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Prime Minister Abe said, "Japan and the U.S. had intense debates at times, but I never did anything to undermine President Trump's dignity at international meetings." Referring to his father, Shin'taro Abe, who was once Foreign Minister, he said, "My father often said that the essence of diplomacy is sincerity and devotion, and I fully agree with that."

He pointed to the U.S.-Japan trade negotiations as the most intense part of his debates with President Trump. He added, "There was also talk about the cost of stationing U.S. troops in Japan, but President Trump generally accepted my explanations," he recalled.

He also expressed the position that cooperation and containment must be pursued simultaneously with China. Former Prime Minister Abe said, "Japan gains great benefits from exports and investments to China, and China also creates employment through Japanese investments, so both share mutual benefits," adding, "Decoupling from China is impossible." However, he noted, "(The important thing is) how to contain China within this reality."

He reiterated the necessity of constitutional revision. Former Prime Minister Abe mentioned that personnel for the House of Representatives' Constitutional Review Committee and the Liberal Democratic Party's Constitutional Revision Promotion Headquarters have been finalized, saying, "The posture toward constitutional revision is now prepared."

He also indirectly mentioned that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga should remain in office beyond next year. Former Prime Minister Abe said, "There will be a general election by October next year, and the party president who leads the victory should continue to hold power." If Prime Minister Suga, who also serves as LDP president, wins the general election, he should extend his term.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.