Ishiba Shigeru

Ishiba is in a far weaker political position than his immediate predecessors – and has far more international volatility to contend with.

There is no doubt that Abe and Trump had a genuine friendship. However, what is often overlooked was how hard Abe worked to make that a reality.

"Moving forward, the ruling and opposition parties must work together to reform and rebuild public trust, aiming for unity."

Prime Minister Ishiba, operating with a severely dented domestic power base, lacks decisive leadership at a time when Japan can ill afford it. 

Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have cause to be nervous, given some of Trump’s past actions and statements. But their leaders chose to express optimism in their first public reactions.

Ironically, the opposition parties may have more in common with the late Abe's approach than the LDP's current leader.

The eclipse of a key faction in Japan has changed the landscape.

India, Japan, South Korea, and China were all represented at a summit of ASEAN leaders in Laos. Southeast Asia is seen as crucial to their economies, as well as a strategically vital region for security. 

The Japanese prime minister’s call for an Asian NATO is farfetched – and risks alienating key Indo-Pacific stakeholders, including India and ASEAN. 

Can Ishiba manage a new approach to a long-standing issue?

After less than one week in office, Japan’s new prime minister has already sent Japan’s financial markets on a rollercoaster ride.