I¡¯m perplexed and vexed. This is ¡°a new Golden Age¡± for the Japan-U.S. relationship, yet in every conversation I had last week in Tokyo, concern about the credibility of U.S. commitments to the alliance was palpable.
That isn¡¯t earthshaking. More troubling over the long term is Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s status and standing at home. Will she maintain the political support necessary to take the steps needed to deliver on her program of national security revitalization and keep the Americans happy? That is a more worrisome proposition.
The ¡°Golden Age¡± tag was adopted by both countries after the summit between Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump last October. It¡¯s still in vogue. In April, Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama used it to describe relations and promised still more cooperation on economic security matters.
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