Gathered were the leaders of the countries participating in the APEC Summit.

The leaders of the 21 participating countries and regions pose together for a commemorative photo.

President Biden of the United States, who arrived late, smiled and waved. But there was no sign of Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba among them.

Ishiba visited the grave of former President Fujimori of Peru, 

who passed away in September 2024. 

On the way back, he was caught in traffic jam 

and missed the commemorative photo.

The APEC Summit was held in Peru, South America.

Once a year, the leaders of the Asia-Pacific region gather 

to discuss economic cooperation on this diplomatic stage.

The leaders held summit meetings one after another.

Prime Minister Ishiba made his full-fledged diplomatic debut.

The Banksha team checked out about nine hours of footage of the meetings.

We analyzed Prime Minister Ishiba’s diplomatic skills with 

a former diplomat who took part in past summit meetings.

I thought this look was good.

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Diplomacy in Question:

Analyzing Ishiba’s Skills

Nov. 15, 2024

Lima, Peru 

Prime Minister Ishiba landed in Peru for his first full-fledged diplomatic mission.

First, he headed to a meeting where the leaders of 21 countries and regions gathered.

This was the video before the meeting started

While the leaders greeted each other, Prime Minister Ishiba took his seat and checked his smartphone. He was also checking the documents.

Then, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stopped by to greet him.

The leaders continued to come by to greet one after another.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also approached him, 

Prime Minister Ishiba greeted him without standing up.

Was there any issue with greetings while remaining seated?

We showed the footage to former diplomat Miyake Kunihiko.

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

It's not that he had to stand up. PM Ishiba was checking (documents and 

his phone) when he popped in, so I think the timing was off.

From here, it’s a whirlwind of back-to-back summit meetings.

We focused on his expressions.

Japan-Vietnam Summit

His counterpart was Vietnam.

Official

He’s entering.

PM Ishiba

Yes, he’s coming.

PM Ishiba

Welcome! Good to see you.

With this smile, he met with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.

Japan-South Korea Summit

Meeting with South Korean President Yoon, he showed this expression.

Japan-Malaysia Summit

With Malaysian Premier Anwar

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

Oh, he is good.

Malaysia is a friendly country and there’s no big issue.

They can talk in a relaxed manner.

Japan-China Summit

President Xi Jinping

Prime Minister Ishiba

The summit meeting with China, which now has a variety of difficult issues between them.

It is the biggest climax in a series of summits.

National Defense by Ishiba Shigeru (Shinchosha)

In fact, Prime Minister Ishiba.

When he was Director General of the Defense Agency, 

he wrote in his book about an episode when he competed 

with a Chinese dignitary to see who could drink more alcohol.

Prime Minister Ishiba

After about 70 drinks I finally won.

It's a form of diplomacy.

From LDP’s YouTube

2016

Ishiba spoke about the importance of preparation 

before a meeting in this way 8 years ago.

Prime Minister Ishiba

When it comes to China and Russia, it is quite difficult to find out a person's personal information. But I do my best to find out. I would ask, “What kind of dog does this person have, what is its name, and so on.

The things we discuss are very serious, but I try to create a situation 

where the counterpart can say, 'This guy would be fun to talk to.

Image based on news coverage

Prime Minister Ishiba

The feelings of the Japanese people are not getting through.

We need to use harsher words.

He was meticulous about every single word spoken during the meeting.

Nov. 15, 2024

And then came the first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Ishiba showed no smile and avoided eye contact.

The smile he showed at the meeting with Malaysia was absent.

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

I think this is a very correct response, Japan has a lot of problems 

with China, and we can't be so smiling when it comes to China.

(The expressions on his face) will become a message,

I thought it’s a good gesture because it will remain in the record.

Next, the focus is on the handshake.

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

It’s interesting to note that Ishiba is shaking hands with both his hands.

Interviewer

Certainly politicians, when shaking hands at international meetings, 

they do so with one hand... usually one hand.

November 16, 2024

U.S.-China Summit

When you look at the U.S,-China summit meeting,

the two leaders certainly shook hands with one hand.

On shaking hands with both hands, Miyake has this to say:

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

In Japan, politicians usually shake hands with both hands.

While shaking hands with one hand isn’t considered disrespectful,

it’s not seen as particularly courteous either.

Therefore, I think his act reflected Japanese culture.

Interviewer

Shake hands with both hands, can it mean anything?

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

I don't think it will have any meaning.

It might be a pretty polite way of putting it,

Not particularly good or bad because it's two handed.

Japan-China Summit

And the summit talks began.

Chinese President Xi Jinping

I am glad to meet you, Prime Minister Ishiba.

I would like to strengthen our ties with you.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru

While there is great potential for expansion between

the two countries, many issues and concerns remain.

He approached with a serious expression.

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru

My impression is that it was a very fruitful exchange of views.

We asked a reporter accompanying Prime Minister Ishiba.

Hiramoto Noriaki, NTV Chief Political Reporter at PM Office

Several government officials said they have made progress.

They feel that there have been a lot of positive comments from the Chinese side.

When asked why, many people give Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru’s character. 

The key is the presence of his political mentor, former Prime Minister Tanaka Kakuei.

China seems to think it important that Prime Minister Ishiba is a disciple of Tanaka, who achieved the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China.

Because he is a disciple of former Prime Minister Tanaka, who worked hard 

to improve Japan-China relations, China has high expectations for PM Ishiba.

Interviews with several officials revealed that this time it was 

President Xi Jinping who presented the episode of Tanaka Kakuei.

A Foreign Ministry official said that the Chinese side's emphasis on 

the Ishiba-Tanaka line can be said to be a factor in the progress made.

Prime Minister Ishiba successfully completed the Japan-China summit meeting, which was the biggest climax of the event.

The next “big shot” is the next President of the United States, Donald Trump.

How will he face him?

After attending the APEC Summit in Peru,

PM Ishiba was seeking a meeting with President-elect Trump.

However,

Prime Minister Ishiba

At this time, we have been briefed that there will be no meeting 

with President-elect Trump with either country.

The Japanese government will continue its efforts to hold 

talks with President-elect Trump as soon as possible.

What is required of Prime Minister Ishiba to deal with Mr. Trump?

Miyake Kunihiko, Canon Institute for Global Studies

President-elect Trump respects strong people.

The most important thing is to stabilize domestic and internal politics in Japan.

And it is important to stabilize the base of the administration and build a strong cabinet.

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