key takeaways
- Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has used a series of meetings to hint at the outlines for a new, more independent foreign policy.
- Tokyo is still focused on the relationship with the United States, but its posture is more defensive as it seeks to limit the harm to Japan from “America First” policies.
- Ishiba is looking to work around the US to advance Japan’s interests by building relationships with likeminded partners in the developed world and with the Global South; these efforts will likely continue even if Ishiba leaves office.
Japan Foresight 