Trump to allay fears of Asian allies

Abe, a political blue blood and veteran lawmaker, and Trump, a brash outsider with no diplomatic or government experience, have differences on policy issues such as free trade. 

But the two may find they have more in common when they meet in New York on Thursday, including pledges to restore their countries’ global stature and a desire to counter a rising China while improving relations with Russia. 

“Prime Minister Abe and Mr Trump will have good chemistry,” said Takashi Kawakami, a professor at Tokyo’s Takushoku University. “Both tend to decide and act based on intuition. And both are pragmatists who put their countries’ interests first.” 

An adviser to Trump said the president-elect would reaffirm his commitment to the US-Japan alliance and the region, despite campaign rhetoric that raised questions about the future of what has been the bedrock of Japanese defence since World War II.