The recent summit between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been widely hailed as a turning point in Japanese-American relations, particularly in energy. The new White House is keen to maximize profit from the nation’s abundant hydrocarbon resources, making energy a top priority.

Ishiba’s approach is to align closely with the administration while safeguarding Japan’s interests where they diverge from Washington’s. Yet, given the White House’s aggressive stance, Ishiba may find it difficult to push back when disagreements arise.

Japan, shaped by postwar American influence and host to a significant U.S. military presence, is deeply intertwined with Washington’s defense and trade policies. This dependency makes Tokyo eager to maintain smooth ties, especially as Trump revives economic grievances, including the longstanding trade deficit. While today’s $68 billion gap is far lower than its inflation-adjusted peak in 1985 (which would be $135 billion in today’s money), Trump remains determined to shrink it further.