Japan, America’s key Asian ally, is cautioning against potential disruptions to efforts to restrain Beijing and maintain regional peace through a U.S.-China deal. Concerns arise as presidential hopeful Donald Trump gains traction, prompting Japan to engage with Trump’s associates in an effort detailed by six Japanese officials.

As Prime Minister Fumio Kishida prepares for a U.S. state visit, Japan intensifies outreach, dispatching officials to meet Trump and engaging with think tanks aligned with him. Worries in Tokyo center on potential trade or security deals that may counter recent Group of Seven (G7) efforts to counter China, with concerns also extending to Taiwan and fears of protectionist trade measures.

Trump’s past actions, such as defending ties with authoritarian leaders and seeking a nuclear deal with North Korea, fuel Japanese concerns. Fears persist that Trump might weaken U.S. support for Taiwan, impacting regional stability. Japan’s outreach aims to understand potential scenarios and convey its positions to Trump and his associates.