A critical analysis of the political consequences of Fumio Kishida’s appointment of Shigeru Ishiba, the implications of Japan’s $840 billion investment commitment to the United States, and a strategic proposal for Japan’s renewal and a strengthened U.S.–Japan alliance.

The gravity of Fumio Kishida’s decision to appoint Shigeru Ishiba as prime minister, and the gravity of Ishiba becoming prime minister… | The Turntable of Civilization — A Blog Unique in the Postwar World

The United States, above all, depends on Japan.
Japan has contributed significantly to the upward trend in U.S. capital stock, yet the Trump administration is not satisfied with that alone.
By 2025, it hinted at high tariffs toward the previous Ishiba administration and extracted a promise of approximately 550 billion dollars (about 84 trillion yen) in investment into the United States by January 2029.
For large-scale projects selected by the Trump administration, Japan must transfer the required funds into U.S. bank accounts designated by the American side by specified deadlines.
To meet this demand, Japan’s government-affiliated institutions—the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance—provide loans and guarantees, while private financial institutions finance the projects.

Projects now under consideration include gas-fired power plants for data centers, crude oil export ports, and artificial diamond production plants required for semiconductor manufacturing.
While officially framed as strengthening economic security for both Japan and the United States in energy and semiconductors, the loss risk of these investments will be borne almost entirely by Japan’s government-affiliated financial institutions.
Furthermore, the scale of this investment is deeply concerning.
To achieve approximately 84 trillion yen within the remaining three years, Japan must supply more than 20 trillion yen annually to the United States.
Japan’s domestic capital investment is about 100 trillion yen annually, yet net investment—after subtracting depreciation—amounts to less than 10 trillion yen.
Major manufacturers are turning away from domestic investment and actively investing in the United States for growth, with banks quickly providing financing.

Why has such absurdity been allowed?
It is not only that Shigeru Ishiba, as prime minister, was not taken seriously by Trump; Trump likely had no intention of dealing with Ishiba at all.
Put bluntly, he was being mocked.
That is why such absurd arrangements were pushed through.
Knowing he was not taken seriously, Ishiba merely complied… unwilling to meet Trump himself, he repeatedly sent the powerless Akazawa to Washington in a manner bordering on the farcical.
In the history of Japanese diplomacy—and indeed world diplomacy—there has never been such a number of futile visits to the United States.

The true responsibility for this lies with Fumio Kishida.
The best strategy to prevent this catastrophe—born of incompetence and pro-China appeasement—from becoming irreversible is to adopt Yoichi Takahashi’s bold proposal, a brilliantly clear solution that can resolve the matter instantly.

Takaichi-san.
The best answer is to tell Trump: let Japan purchase the Seventh Fleet for approximately 84 trillion yen.
The United States would receive vast funds and be freed from future maintenance costs.
Japan would achieve complete defense strengthening.

Moreover, for at least the next 170 years, as nations guided by providence and by the turntable of civilization, Japan and the United States would solidify an unshakable alliance and lead the world together.
Naturally, all equipment of the Seventh Fleet would be included.

If that optimal plan proves impossible, then say this to Trump:
That decision was made by Shigeru Ishiba, whose incompetence you yourself recognized, and the overwhelming majority of the Japanese people were deeply angered by him.
The Liberal Democratic Party even faced the risk of dissolution.
I am different.
I am a politician supported overwhelmingly by the majority of the world’s most civilized citizens.
I bear the responsibility entrusted by them to strengthen Japan, reinforce the U.S.–Japan alliance, and lead the world together with the United States.
This investment must become a true win-win for both nations.
Let me change it at its root.
Just as you refused even to meet Ishiba, I too refuse to inherit his failed policies.
Let us replace them with a clear promise that brightens the citizens of both nations, like the beautiful blue sky shared by Japan and the United States.

To be continued.