U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are both eager to develop a strong personal relationship and Abe's itinerary in the United States, with golf and a visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, are ideal for that purpose.
There is an impression in Tokyo that the Trump administration has common cause with Japan — Trump has made a point of pushing back against China economically and strategically, and this fits Japan's unease with China's rise and increasing aggressiveness. But if Japan is not careful in its dealings with the Trump administration, it could find itself with more than it bargained for in containing China and sorely frustrated on trade and economics.
In short, the new Trump administration is showing its inexperience. Like all administrations, there will be mistakes and missteps, and how well the administration can learn and adapt will go a long way toward its success. But these growing pains are far worse than normal.