Former US President Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters).
Reuters quoted a source as saying that in recent weeks, Japan has stepped up efforts to reach out to people close to former US President Donald Trump in the context of his consecutive victories in the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries.
Japan’s efforts have included sending a senior ruling party figure to try to arrange a meeting with Mr Trump, or diplomats seeking access to organisations and former US officials with close ties to Mr Trump.
Three unnamed Japanese officials said that last month, Mr. Taro Aso, former Deputy Prime Minister of Japan and now a member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), went to the US to meet Mr. Trump but was unsuccessful.
Japan's new ambassador to the US, Shigeo Yamada, has been given a very clear mission: to connect with Mr. Trump's campaign team.
The Japanese Embassy in Washington as well as Mr. Aso's office have not commented on the above information.
Senator Bill Hagerty, a former US ambassador to Japan under Mr Trump, is expected to play a key role in the administration if Mr Trump is re-elected. Earlier this year, the senator met with several Japanese officials.
Robert O'Brien, former US security adviser under Mr Trump, is also said to have had recent contact with Japanese officials.
Meanwhile, Japan's efforts to reach out to Trump's inner circle have become more complicated as some figures who were once very interested in Japan, such as former US Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, are no longer Trump's "allies".
Mr. Trump, 77 years old, is currently a leading presidential candidate of the US Republican Party. Some countries are said to have begun preparing for the scenario that Mr. Trump could return to the White House after the election later this year.
Japan's top concern if Mr Trump is re-elected is that he might strike some security and trade deals with China.
Japanese officials say they cannot predict the former White House occupant's plans, but their concerns stem from his actions and statements during his 2017-2021 term.
They worry that Mr. Trump could reduce U.S. support for Taiwan to reach a deal with Beijing. They also worry that he will impose protectionist trade measures that are disadvantageous to Japan, forcing Tokyo to pay for the stationing of U.S. forces in the country.
Japan's Foreign Ministry said it is closely following developments in the US presidential election, while reiterating the US commitment to the US-Japan alliance.
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