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Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
World Leaders Must Urge Trump to Adjust Course on Trade, Says Ex-Vice Foreign Minister for Japan
The Yomiuri Shimbun Takeo Mori Former Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori believes leaders must speak up and urge U.S. President Donald Trump to adjust his policies during negotiations. The following is excerpted from Mori's remarks in an interview conducted by Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Kenta Kamimura. *** Many of U.S. President Donald Trump's most basic arguments, such as his view that it is unfair for the United States to keep singlehandedly supporting the international order, are understandable. However, the measures he has unleashed in rapid succession so far have been too high-handed, even compared to his first term. Nobody in Trump's inner circle will object to his whims. Trump's confidence must have soared after the results of last year's federal elections, which resulted in Republicans clinching the presidency and a majority in both houses of Congress. Narrowly surviving an assassination attempt also appears to have left Trump driven by a feeling of invincibility and a sense that he was 'chosen by God.' Trump's rollout of sweeping tariffs also probably stemmed from his assumption that nations around the world would simply give in and acquiesce to his demands. However, the reality has not been so straightforward. China naturally pushed back by slapping high tariffs on U.S. imports and restricting exports of rare earths. In addition, Russia, European countries and even Japan have not simply gone along with Trump's demands, so the prospects on the tariff issue remain unclear. Amid all this, Trump recently adjusted his policy course in some cases, such as by postponing the introduction of additional tariffs. Although Trump charged into this issue feeling that he was all-powerful, it is possible that, when confronted with reality, he will be flexible and change direction. Should that be the case, Trump also might realize that his raft of tariffs on U.S. allies and friendly nations is ultimately weakening the United States. For instance, the United States unveiled a plan for particularly high tariffs on Vietnam and Cambodia. This was intended to prevent China from exporting its goods via those countries. However, it will not be in the U.S. national interest if those nations distance themselves from the United States. When communicating with Trump, it is important for leaders to be considerate of his basic thinking but encourage him to 'become aware' of specific policy points. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was able to forge a close relationship with Trump because no matter how far-fetched Trump's assertions were, Abe respected them as the statements of a president chosen by the American people; he accepted them head-on. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has adopted a similar approach when dealing with Trump and is steadily building a personal relationship with the president. On a slightly different topic, Japan and the United States have been having the same discussions on auto exports and imports for decades. I was surprised when Trump cited as an example of Japan's nontariff barriers a test in which a bowling ball is dropped on a car's hood. The United States made this same claim when I was a negotiator more than 10 years ago. I carefully explained the situation to my U.S. counterparts, and they accepted the truth right there and withdrew their claim. Over the past few decades, Japan has done everything it can to eliminate the trade imbalance. During the upcoming negotiations, the Japanese delegation must listen closely to what Trump has to say, and be prepared to push back tenaciously against any irrational statements. Takeo Mori Mori, 64, is a graduate of the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law. He joined the Foreign Ministry in 1983. From 2015, he held posts including director general of the North American Affairs Bureau and vice foreign minister. He was stationed at the Japanese Embassy in the United States from 2010 to 2013 and was a negotiator in talks with the United States about Japan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Mori has been an adviser to the Foreign Ministry since August 2023.
Japan Times
25-05-2025
- Japan Times
Osaka Expo highlights uniqueness of Kansai region
The 2025 Osaka Expo is showcasing not only cutting-edge technologies from around the world but also the uniqueness of different countries and areas, including the host Kansai region. The Kansai Pavilion offers numerous experiences to allow visitors to understand the rich history and culture of the region, according to the Osaka Expo's official guidebook. In contrast, the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, another Kansai-related pavilion, exhibits futuristic products by local manufacturers. Takeo Mori, secretary-general of the Kansai Pavilion, emphasized the coexistence of diversity and unity particular to the region. "Under the slogan 'Diverse Kansai and One Kansai,' we are all here to help visitors learn how attractive the Kansai region is," he said, noting that local people are enjoying running the pavilion themselves. Local appeal Since the expo opened on April 13, the Kansai Pavilion has been welcoming guests with booths for eight prefectures in the greater Kansai region showcasing the history, regional products, tourism and cultural resources of each area. Among them, Mie Prefecture features its local specialties in several pull-out drawers set up on the walls of its booth, filled with a variety of local items, including a life-sized model of the Japanese giant salamander, which lives in the prefecture's Iga area, and pearls cultured in the Ise-Shima district. Visitors discover Mie products by opening drawers on the walls of the Kansai Pavilion's Mie booth at the Osaka Expo. | Jiji Some displays in the drawers appeal to the senses of visitors, allowing them to smell the scent of sake brewed in the Hokusei area, for example. "Our booth has a concierge to offer guidance to expo visitors on recommended places to travel in Mie," said Kyoka Morikawa of the Mie booth. "We hope people will explore the rich history and culture of Mie at first hand." Noting that some staff at the Mie booth are from other parts of Kansai, Morikawa said that they are there to show guests that "their love for Mie" is as strong as that of people from the prefecture. Although in the same pavilion, the prefectures use their own ways to promote themselves. Fukui Prefecture, which is known as a leading area for dinosaur fossil discoveries, offers the experience of a simulated excavation of dinosaur fossils as well as virtual-reality travel through the rise and fall of the dinosaurs. Meanwhile, Hyogo Prefecture has a theater called the Mirai Bus (Future Bus), which shows "passengers" the past, present and future of the prefecture via a bus ride through imagination. Discovering charms Many locals are among the visitors filling the Kansai Pavilion. The exterior of the Kansai Pavilion at the Osaka Expo, decorated with paper cutouts of signature Kansai landscapes | Jiji Kazumi Yoshimura, 63, a nurse from Kyoto Prefecture, discovered many sites to visit in the region. "By learning about the charms of Kansai at this pavilion, I realized I'd passed many attractive places by car and train without noticing," she said. Junior high school students from Osaka enjoyed the Tokushima Prefecture booth. "We practiced the Awa Odori traditional local dance at the booth, and it was fun," one of the students said with a smile. "We're already looking forward to coming back in this year's summer holidays." For foreign nationals who are less familiar with Kansai, the pavilion serves to help deepen their understanding of the region. Souad El Fenni, a 29-year-old graphic designer from Paris, stayed at the pavilion for three hours, reflecting her strong interest in Japanese culture. "The immersive experiences are mesmerizing, especially a projection mapping on sand at the booth of Tottori Prefecture," known for the Tottori Sand Dunes, she said. Despite the popularity in France of Japanese animated series "Detective Conan," one of the icons used to promote the booth, Fenni did not know its author, Gosho Aoyama, is from Tottori. "From the experience at the pavilion, I found that Tottori is a very interesting place," she added. Tradition of sustainability Although the Kansai Pavilion does not have a permanent shop, visitors can buy souvenirs at the nearby Okoshiyasu Kyonokomichi shop, which introduces Kyoto Prefecture's traditional techniques and flavors, such as lacquerware and tsukemono Japanese pickles. The use of "furoshiki" traditional wrapping cloths is displayed in the Okoshiyasu Kyonokomichi Kyoto souvenir shop at the Osaka Expo. | Jiji The shop not only sells products from the prefecture, one of the most famous tourist spots in Kansai, but also offers customers unused furoshiki traditional wrapping cloths that were donated by Kyoto locals. After shopping, customers can purchase furoshiki for use as reusable bags to carry the souvenirs they bought at the shop. The shop staff's uniforms are made from upcycled kimonos. "People in Kyoto have been upcycling things in their daily lives, so we're eager to introduce a sustainable way of living from Kyoto to expo visitors," Yoshio Oi, assistant manager of the shop, said. Yosuke Honda, a 45-year-old company worker from Osaka, entered the shop with his wife to escape the rain and bought a bottle of sake. "If the expo had not been held in Kansai, I might not have visited the site and learned about this sake," he added. Carlos Castellon, 46, a doctor from Spain, came to the expo as part of a three-week trip across Japan. Castellon and his partner, Leili Huth, a 35-year-old art collector, bought many Kyoto products at the shop, including a pouch made with Nishijin-ori textiles. They enjoyed the staff's "very Japanese hospitality" to teach them how to wrap items with furoshiki. Away from the expo's futuristic image, this year's event aims to allow visitors to feel the strong links between the prefectures of Kansai. "The lively atmosphere of the expo is created by the sense of camaraderie among people in Kansai, as well as the momentum we generate to attract people from all over the world to the region," Mori of the Kansai Pavilion said. "We hope people will see and enjoy Kansai, which is as diverse but cohesive as osechi (traditional Japanese New Year's foods)."
