转自：北京日报客户端 连日来，美国政府强行控制委内瑞拉总统马杜罗一事，在日本国内也引起了很大震动。不少日本媒体追 问日本政府如何看待美国政府大搞双重标准、破坏国际法的做法。可日本首相高市早苗以及防卫大臣小 泉进次郎等高官，却一直回避相关提问。 不过，日本媒体的"锲而不舍"终于还是逼出了小泉的回应。可他给出的回应却并不是在批评美方对国际 法和国际秩序的破坏，反而是将矛头对准了日本的媒体，认为这些媒体的提问是在反日…… 根据日本《产经新闻》的报道，在1月8日远程参加日本富士电视台的一档政论节目时，小泉被节目评论 员问及美国政府是否还值得日本的信任。毕竟，美国政府不仅无视国际法强行控制了委内瑞拉总统马杜 罗，还企图吞并丹麦格陵兰岛，对盟友的利益更是漠不关心。 然而，在过去几天里拒绝评论美国对委内瑞拉做法的小泉，却拐弯抹角地指责起了日本媒体，认为媒体 不断质疑美国的做法，是在帮"外国势力"分化美日同盟，损害日本的利益。 "一些势力正以不易被民众察觉的方式，在媒体领域开展渗透行动，同时在网络空间发动各类信息战， 以此塑造公众舆论"，小泉宣称，"一旦'美国不可靠'的论调在日本社会蔓延开来，谁会因此窃喜，答案 不言自明"。 ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article emphasizes the strengthening of the Japan-U.S. alliance through a planned visit by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the U.S. in spring 2026, following a recent phone conversation with President Trump [2][4] - The leaders discussed international situations centered around the Indo-Pacific region, including military exercises by the Chinese military near Taiwan, indicating a focus on regional security issues [2] - Kishida highlighted the significance of the conversation, stating that it reaffirms the strong cooperation between Japan and the U.S., which is particularly meaningful at the start of the new year [4] Group 2 - The conversation lasted approximately 25 minutes, marking the first communication between the two leaders since late November 2025, showcasing the ongoing diplomatic engagement [2][4] - Kishida noted that 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in various areas, including economic and security matters, to make this year a historic one for the Japan-U.S. alliance [4]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the article is that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is exploring the possibility of visiting the United States in March next year to reaffirm the solidarity of the Japan-U.S. alliance [1] - The initial proposal for Kishida to visit the U.S. in January was not agreed upon due to concerns within Japan regarding Trump's stance [1] - The visit may be contingent on the successful passage of Japan's budget for the fiscal year 2026 in March, with the possibility of the visit being delayed until April or later depending on U.S. arrangements [1]

Group 1 - The Japanese government plans to invest 80 trillion yen in the United States, focusing on sectors like semiconductors, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, while neglecting domestic welfare needs [3][7] - Japan's defense spending has reached a historical high of 11 trillion yen, accounting for 2% of GDP, reflecting a long-standing policy of aligning national defense and economic interests with the U.S. [3][5] - The political turmoil in the Japanese Diet highlights the disconnect between government actions and public sentiment, as citizens face rising living costs without tax relief [5][9] Group 2 - Prime Minister Kishi Nobuo's strategy aims to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and address geopolitical concerns, but the financial burden of this strategy falls on ordinary citizens [7][9] - The political performance in the Diet, characterized by confusion and lack of clarity, reveals systemic conflicts and the challenges of maintaining public trust amid fiscal pressures [5][9] - The ongoing reliance on foreign investments and military spending raises questions about Japan's ability to balance international commitments with domestic welfare [3][9]

Group 1 - The current confrontation between Japan and China has escalated beyond mere diplomatic protests, with Japan's government under Prime Minister Kishi's leadership taking aggressive actions [1][3] - Japan is pursuing a Visiting Forces Agreement with the Philippines, granting its Self-Defense Forces near-unrestricted deployment rights in the region, indicating a significant military presence [5][9] - Japan's military strategy is not limited to the Asia-Pacific region; it is also attempting to involve European military alliances, which has raised concerns from Russia about the formation of an "Asian version of NATO" [9][10] Group 2 - China's rapid advancements in energy and military capabilities have left Japan feeling increasingly threatened, as evidenced by China's solar and wind energy installations surpassing those of the US and EU combined [13][15] - Japan's elite are aware that they have lost competitive advantages, with a projected trade surplus of over $1 trillion by 2025 signaling Japan's diminishing position in the global market [17][19] - The US's shifting strategic focus away from East Asia has exacerbated Japan's feelings of marginalization, prompting aggressive posturing from Japan's government as a means to regain attention from the US [19][20] Group 3 - The US is currently facing significant financial constraints, making it unlikely to engage in direct confrontation with China on Japan's behalf, which Japan's government seems to underestimate [25][26] - Japan's attempts to leverage economic measures against China, such as restricting exports of critical materials, may backfire and worsen its own economic situation [31][33] - Japan's reliance on the US for security while simultaneously trying to assert its own military presence is a precarious balancing act that may lead to unfavorable outcomes [35][39]

Core Viewpoint - The Japanese government has approved a supplementary budget for the fiscal year 2025, allocating 847.2 billion yen to the Ministry of Defense, leading to a record total defense spending of approximately 11 trillion yen for the current fiscal year, marking the 13th consecutive year of defense budget increases [1][2]. Group 1: Defense Spending Increase - Japan's defense budget is set to reach about 11 trillion yen for the fiscal year 2025, with a GDP ratio of 2% [2]. - The supplementary budget includes 1.1 trillion yen for defense-related expenses, with 847.2 billion yen specifically allocated for military equipment purchases, including 122.2 billion yen for frigates and submarines, and 56.6 billion yen for missiles [2]. - The defense spending as a percentage of GDP is projected to rise from 1.19% in fiscal year 2023 to 2% by fiscal year 2025, indicating a rapid increase [2]. Group 2: Strategic Motivations - The increase in defense spending is part of a broader strategy initiated by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, aimed at breaking through previous security policies and aligning with U.S. military objectives to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance [2][3]. - The Japanese government aims to achieve a "normal military power" status, moving away from the post-World War II principle of "defensive defense" [3][9]. Group 3: Regional Security Implications - Japan's military expansion poses significant risks to regional security, challenging the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order [5][9]. - The government's actions, including the potential for arms exports and participation in international military exercises, indicate a shift towards a more aggressive military posture [7][8]. Group 4: Domestic Concerns - The rising defense budget has sparked public protests, with citizens expressing concerns over the neglect of social welfare in favor of military spending [10][11]. - The government’s plan to finance increased defense spending through personal income tax hikes raises concerns about the economic burden on the Japanese populace amid ongoing economic challenges [12].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a recent phone call initiated by U.S. President Trump with Japanese Prime Minister Kishi, focusing on the Taiwan sovereignty issue and the strengthening of U.S.-Japan relations amidst rising tensions in the region [3][5]. Group 1: Phone Call Details - The phone call lasted approximately 25 minutes, during which Trump provided insights about the recent U.S.-China leaders' conversation on November 24 [3][4]. - Kishi emphasized the confirmation of the close cooperation between the U.S. and Japan, discussing various topics including the situation in the Indo-Pacific region [3][5]. Group 2: Implications of the Call - The call is seen as significant due to the rarity of U.S.-China leader communications occurring within a month of each other, indicating heightened awareness of current tensions and the need for dialogue [5]. - Trump's proactive approach in reaching out to Kishi signals a clear message regarding the importance of U.S.-Japan relations and the ongoing geopolitical dynamics [5].

Core Viewpoint - The conversation between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized the close cooperation between Japan and the U.S., particularly in the context of regional security and challenges in the Indo-Pacific area [2][4]. Group 1 - Prime Minister Takaichi revealed that she listened to Trump's explanation of his call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place on November 24, and highlighted the confirmation of tight Japan-U.S. cooperation [2]. - The call lasted approximately 25 minutes and was initiated by Trump, focusing on strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and discussing various issues facing the Indo-Pacific region [4]. - Takaichi avoided confirming whether Taiwan was discussed during her conversation with Trump, reflecting the increasing tensions in Japan-China relations, especially following her remarks in the Diet regarding Taiwan [4].

Core Points - The article discusses the first meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighting the establishment of mutual trust and the continuation of the "honeymoon" relationship initiated by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [2][4][10]. Group 1: Meeting Highlights - Takaichi opened the meeting with a casual reference to watching baseball, which reflects a strategy used by Abe to foster rapport with Trump [5][7]. - The meeting included a donation of 250 cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C., in celebration of the U.S. bicentennial in 2026, which was positively received by Trump [8]. - Takaichi presented gifts that included golf-related items previously used by Abe, aiming to reinforce the connection with Trump [9]. Group 2: Diplomatic Strategy - Takaichi has been preparing for this meeting since taking office on October 21, emphasizing the importance of a strong relationship with the U.S. for Japan's political stability [4]. - The meeting was characterized by personal interactions, with Trump praising Takaichi as potentially one of Japan's best prime ministers and expressing a willingness to support Japan on various issues [9][11]. - Takaichi's diplomatic approach includes referencing Abe's "Japan's diplomacy shining on the world stage" and adopting the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy as key themes [10]. Group 3: Future Implications - Takaichi's intention to recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize reflects a strategy to align closely with U.S. foreign policy, despite potential risks of compromising Japan's diplomatic values [11]. - The article notes concerns about Japan's alignment with Trump's unilateral approach to international relations, which may conflict with Japan's traditional advocacy for rule of law and democracy [11].

Group 1 - The core point of the article highlights the successful meeting between US President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, where they signed two significant agreements aimed at strengthening US-Japan relations and cooperation in security and economic sectors [1][3][4] - The first agreement reiterates the framework of the previous US-Japan tariff agreement, imposing a 15% tariff on all Japanese goods exported to the US, while Japan will establish an investment fund for the US [3][8] - The second agreement outlines a framework for ensuring the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, with some funds allocated for rare earth mining, addressing the challenges of Japan's underwater mineral resources [3][5] Group 2 - During the meeting, Kishida expressed his intention to recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and proposed a vision for a "golden era" of the US-Japan alliance, while Trump praised Kishida as a potential great prime minister [3][4] - Trump emphasized the importance of the US-Japan alliance for peace and stability in the Pacific region, highlighting Japan's significant military equipment orders from the US [4][5] - Kishida committed to increasing Japan's defense spending to 2% of GDP by March next year, amidst criticism from Japanese public opinion regarding the implications of increased defense spending [5][6] Group 3 - The meeting aimed to deepen trust between the leaders, with Kishida's performance receiving high praise from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and other political factions, while opposition parties raised concerns about potential "flattering diplomacy" [7][8] - The discussions also reflect the influence of former Prime Minister Abe's diplomatic legacy, as Kishida presented gifts related to Abe during the meeting [7][8] - Analysts note that Kishida faces domestic pressures regarding tariff issues and must balance expectations to avoid being perceived as merely acquiescing to US demands [8]