A week after the high-profile May 14-15 summit in Beijing, the verdict in Tokyo is split: Did U.S. President Donald Trump hold his ground or did Chinese leader Xi Jinping seize the upper hand?

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara struck a cautious note, emphasizing that ¡°stability in U.S.-China relations is of the utmost importance¡± and urging China to act responsibly while maintaining strong ties with Washington.

Much of Japan¡¯s media, however, has been more skeptical. Headlines have portrayed Xi as dominant and Trump as erratic, warning of a potential ¡°historic deal¡± that could unsettle Japan and Taiwan. Some commentary has even mocked both Trump¡¯s diplomacy and the Takaichi administration¡¯s emphasis on close coordination with the United States.