US-Japan Summit. Tokyo Reuters=Yonhap News. 

U.S. President Donald Trump, during his first summit with Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on the 28th (local time), drew attention by referring to the US-Japan trade agreement reached between himself and Japan's former Prime Minister (Shigeru Ishiba) and calling it a "very fair deal."

At the opening remarks of the summit held at the State Guest House in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo, President Trump stated, "We value trade (between the US and Japan) very highly," and added, "We will do tremendous trade together."

President Trump continued, "We are just signing a new agreement," evaluating it as "a very fair deal," and welcomed Japan's entry into the US market.

During the tenure of former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, in July, Japan pledged to supply $550 billion (approximately 787 trillion won) in investment to the US and agreed with the US to reduce mutual tariffs (tariffs by country) and automobile tariffs from 25% to 15% in exchange for opening up markets such as automobiles and rice.

Prime Minister Takaichi, unlike other candidates during the LDP leadership election, which is a de facto prime ministerial election, had made remarks suggesting room for review of the agreement.

Therefore, President Trump's mention of the US-Japan trade agreement as a "very fair deal" on this day seemed to have the effect of checking any possibility of Japan attempting to revise the agreement under the Takaichi administration. It was, in essence, an attempt to "nail down" the US-Japan trade agreement.

US-Japan Leaders. Tokyo AFP=Yonhap News. 

Furthermore, President Trump stated, "I know you are increasing your (Japan's) military capabilities very substantially," and expressed gratitude by saying, "We have received your orders for new military equipment."

This was interpreted as an expression of the US's intention to achieve a "win-win" by supporting Prime Minister Takaichi, known for her strong conservative stance and dubbed 'Iron Lady Abe,' in her push for military buildup through increased arms sales to Japan.

Later, President Trump announced during a visit to the US Naval Base in Yokosuka on the same day that he had approved the delivery of US-made missiles for Japan's F-35 fighter jets to Japan.

He said, "I am pleased to report that I have just approved the delivery of the first batch of missiles for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' F-35 fighter jets," adding, "This shipment is scheduled to arrive this week, ahead of schedule."

This development suggests that under the Trump-Takaichi administration, Japan's departure from its post-war stance and its move towards becoming a normal country capable of waging war may accelerate further with US support.

Meanwhile, President Trump noted that during his first term, he had heard high praise for Prime Minister Takaichi from the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom he shared a close relationship and policy cooperation. It appeared that former Prime Minister Abe, who was a key partner in Trump's summit diplomacy during his lifetime and shared similar political leanings with Prime Minister Takaichi, was becoming a "common denominator" and a driving force for the bond between the two leaders.

Several key cabinet members were present at the summit on the US side, including Secretary of State Mike Rubio, Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnik, and U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamie D. Gorelick.

Yonhap News