Prime Minister Ishiba's Diplomatic Misstep in South America
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's recent trip to South America to attend two international conferences highlighted his lack of diplomatic experience. During a session at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Ishiba remained seated while greeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a breach of diplomatic etiquette. This incident, along with his seemingly relaxed schedule, raised questions about his preparedness and commitment to the conferences.
Ishiba's inexperience was further evident in his failure to stand and greet other leaders who approached him before the APEC session. This suggests a lack of awareness of diplomatic protocols and inadequate briefing by his staff.
Despite these shortcomings, Ishiba managed to hold several productive meetings with other leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden. He secured confirmation from President Xi on lifting the ban on Japanese seafood imports and established a trilateral secretariat with President Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol to address issues like North Korea.
However, Ishiba's diplomatic misstep and seemingly relaxed schedule cast a shadow over his achievements. His performance raises concerns about his ability to effectively represent Japan on the international stage.