When an old and gray Shinzo Abe counts his biggest regrets as prime minister, Nov. 17, 2016, may easily top the list. That was the day Japan's leader scurried to New York to honor Donald Trump's shock victory — and pledge allegiance to his reign.
Back then, Japanologists tripped over themselves to applaud Abe's Trump Tower gambit. Never mind diplomatic faux pas, including the U.S. leader bringing his kids to the meeting. By vouching for Trump ("I am convinced Mr. Trump is a leader in whom I can have great confidence"), Abe was said to protect the Japan-U.S. alliance and set Tokyo up for preferential treatment by a transactional president.
What a difference 187 days make. The unending torrent of Trump White House scandals, crises and diplomatic own-goals belie Abe's "confidence." In record time, Trump's shenanigans warranted the appointment of special counsel, comparisons to U.S. President Richard Nixon's "Watergate" fiasco and impeachment buzz in the halls of Washington power. Buyer's remorse, Abe-san?