An American expert familiar with Japanese politics said that former Prime Minister Abe not only built a relationship of trust with successive presidents, but also created ideas that would sympathize with the United States. I had it. "
Kent E. Calder, director of the Edwin O. Reischauer Institute for East Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins University in the United States, who specializes in politics and economics in East Asia and had a close relationship with former Prime Minister Abe, responded to an interview with NHK on the 8th.
In this, Mr. Calder said, "Strengthening Japan's international role," said former Prime Minister Abe not only strengthening Japan-US relations, but also striving to build relations with Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries, as well as Russia. He was willing to take on new challenges. He was a realist, a patriot, and a forward-looking man. "
Regarding Japan-US relations, he pointed out that former Prime Minister Abe had built a relationship of trust with successive US presidents of both the Democratic and Republican parties, such as former President Obama and former President Trump. It's amazing to have a good relationship and to be respected. "
In addition, Mr. Calder said, "Japan has historically been a country that has passively responded to requests from the United States, and although former Prime Minister Abe had such a time, he created ideas that were sympathetic to the United States and became more proactive. It was. "
Currently, the United States attaches great importance to countering China, and the framework "Quad" created by the four countries of Japan and the United States, Australia, and India was advocated by former Prime Minister Abe. He had a significant influence, "he said, saying he was an active leader in the United States among all the prime ministers of all time.