TOKYO — Asian leaders have expressed hope that United States President Donald Trump will deepen alliances and further common interests in a flurry of congratulatory messages, but these belie a sense of unease over the pugnacious “America first” approach as spelt out in his inauguration speech.
In a series of rallies across the region, people spoke out against the hate speech, xenophobia and misogyny that had characterized Trump’s election campaign.
Over 10,000 people took part in rallies in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, Tokyo and Manila.
“We hope people will raise their voices to demand fair treatment regardless of gender, the colour of their skin or sexual orientation,” housewife Katherine Hall, 49, told The Sunday Times in Tokyo, where 400 people gathered.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was the first world leader to meet Trump when the latter was President-elect, said he hopes to arrange an official meeting at the “earliest possible occasion (to) send a message to the world on the importance of the Japan-US alliance.”
This alliance, he said, is the “linchpin” of Japan’s foreign and security policies. “I’d like to further strengthen the unwavering ties between Japan and the US, based on the relationship of trust between us.”
A meeting could take place early next month, local media reported.
