With Donald Trump set to assume office as president of the United States on Jan. 20, some Japanese and American university students are coming to terms with the reality that the new leadership could be a catalyst to spur debate on uncomfortable topics.
"With Mr. Trump becoming president, various discussions will definitely come out into the open" in Japan, such as in defense and security areas, said Yuichi Kato, a 26-year-old University of Tokyo public policy graduate student.
Kato, a former intern of the nongovernmental group Human Rights Watch, says he shares the concerns of U.S. students who were upset by the fact of Trump's victory despite his controversial stances and antics. Kato and his Japanese peers are taking a step back to collect their thoughts and emotions, and gauge the future of Japan's ties with the United States, its closest ally.