On July 23, 2025, our President Yoichiro Sato contributed an article titled “U.S.-Japan Diplomacy: First, Understand the Grand Strategy” to the “My View, My Opinion” column on page 27 of the morning edition of the Nikkei Shimbun (The Nihon Keizai Shimbun), Japan’s leading business daily.

The article argues that in order to make progress in the current U.S.-Japan tariff negotiations, Japan must first grasp the broader “grand strategy” behind the United States’ approach—specifically, its containment strategy toward China.

He argues that the Trump administration’s tariff policy is not merely driven by economic considerations—such as correcting trade imbalances, reviving manufacturing, or increasing revenue—but rather reflects a broader national security strategy aimed at confronting China, including issues like fentanyl exports.

Accordingly, Japan must approach the tariff talks with the U.S. not from an economic lens alone, but with an integrated perspective that combines economic and security interests.

Furthermore, he asserts that if Japan is to maintain and deepen the U.S.-Japan alliance as a truly sovereign nation, it must possess diplomatic capability grounded in both strategic thinking and credible defense power.

The full article is available in both the printed version and digital edition of Nikkei.

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