Link to article: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250113_01/
Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi will be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as the Japanese government seeks to strengthen and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific region through the power of the Quad. To coincide with Iwaya’s travel to the US, Japanese foreign officials wish to arrange a meeting of Quad officials in order to emphasize the role and necessity of the Quad to the new US administration. The Japanese government wishes to establish a strong and trustworthy relationship with the US in order to deepen the power and influence of the Quad in order to curb China’s actions and presence in the East Asian region. It is predicted that a Japanese-American summit of executive leaders will occur early after Trump’s assumption of office.
This article is important because it shows Japan’s urgency to establish a significant presence in the Indo-Pacific with the assistance of other members of the Quad, especially as leadership changes in the US. With the assistance of US support, Japanese goals of maintaining and protecting open trade within the Indian Ocean region will be more easily achieved. A significant American presence in the region works to curb unfriendly or aggressive actions from countries such as China and North Korea. Furthermore, Japan’s actions to establish strong relations with a new administration further exemplifies their reliance on the Quad, specifically the US, for maintaining order and stability in the region.
The Trump administration can very well take advantage of the Japanese dependency on US influence in the South Pacific/ Indo-Pacific Region, and as Marco Rubio takes office as the new Secretary of State, relations between Japan and America may fluctuate depending on how the administration approaches its role in the Quad. The Indian government has already stated its willingness to work with the Trump administration, similar to the Japanese. One interesting thought I have is based on Trump’s statements on leaving NATO, prompting thoughts on how he will approach other alliances such as the Quad.
In class, we have begun discussion on international security and how states take action in order to protect itself and citizens. States enter into alliances in order to ensure their own security and/or ward off aggressive states. The Quad, comprising Japan, India, Australia, and the US, is a military alliance created in order to curb China and Bangladesh from too heavily intervening in the Indo-Pacific region. As a part of the Quad, Japan’s military action in the region would be supported by its powerful allies. Being a member of the Quad significantly benefits Japan’s security both in and out of its borders, which its leadership and government is highly aware of, therefore leading to Japan’s efforts to form strong relations with a new administration.