Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been doing a lot of complaining in recent weeks: grumbling about everything from his lack of positive coverage in the domestic press to a packed schedule that’s left little time for his frequent cigarette breaks.
Now, he has another headache: preparation for a meeting with Donald Trump. Having been snubbed by the latter during Ishiba’s first overseas trip to the Americas last year, the premier will travel next week to Washington for a meeting with the new U.S. president, according to reports.
It’s not a moment too soon, with nearly three months having passed since the U.S. election. But in stark contrast to the late Shinzo Abe in 2016, or how world and tech leaders have rushed to schmooze with Trump since November’s victory, Ishiba has not only remained aloof — he has instead spent the last few months building ties with Xi Jinping.
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