Japanese conservatives are urging Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to delay his planned meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump, saying his weak political position and “unstable government” make him vulnerable to demands that could harm Japan, while others stress that it is crucial to get involved now. maintain strong relations with the United States.

In an op-ed published by the Japan National Fundamentals Institute, one of the country’s leading conservative think tanks, director Takashi Arimoto said Trump “prefers to deal with strong foreign leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Israeli Prime Minister. Benjamin Netanyahu,” whether they lead democracies or dictatorships.

Arimoto added that Trump would use a meeting with Ishiba to make demands that “will only harm Japan’s national interests.” He suggested that Ishiba wait until his domestic political position stabilizes, allowing him to negotiate from a position of greater strength.

Others, however, say avoiding Trump could pose greater risks for Japan. Jeff Kingston, director of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo, acknowledged that there was a good chance that Trump would “try to take advantage of Ishiba’s weak position,” but stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Japan’s most crucial security and trade ally.

“Abe has understood that the best way to deal with Trump is to flatter him, and Ishiba must now go to the United States and do what he can to build a strong relationship,” Kingston told This Week in Asia, referring to the late Prime Minister. Minister Shinzo Abe.

“If he actually follows conservative advice and plays hardball to get it, then I don’t think Trump will take it as well. Trump prefers supplicants to those who stand up to him, which would only weaken Japan.”