Before Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba traveled to Washington last week, there was consternation about how he would perform in his first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Some fretted that Ishiba would be too awkward and uncomfortable in his interactions with the U.S. leader. Others wondered if he could hold his own in protecting Japanese interests while still advancing the U.S.-Japan alliance.

In the end, he did fine. There were no missteps, and things appear to be on a good course for the bilateral relationship.