, Columnist
Trade Deal Fumble Could Be Ishiba’s Last Mistake
Ahead of upper house elections, the Japanese prime minister’s inability to charm Donald Trump stands in stark contrast to his late rival, Shinzo Abe.
Is time running out for Ishiba?
Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/BloombergShigeru Ishiba’s rise to Japanese prime minister once seemed so unlikely, it felt like a fever dream.
Nearly 10 months later, Ishiba has lasted longer than many expected — given artificial life by the “national crisis” of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. But as Sunday’s crucial upper house elections approach with no sign of a trade deal, many are wondering if the fever is about to break.