Global ImpactNew leaders in Asia, as well as the US, create questions as Donald Trump’s return looms

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Japan’s parliament last week voted to keep Shigeru Ishiba, who had only been elected last month, as Japan’s prime minister.

He had already extended his congratulations to Trump, expressing hope that bilateral ties could be brought “to new heights”.

Before becoming prime minister, Ishiba had called for an “Asian version of Nato” and suggested that US nuclear weapons in the Asia-Pacific could be shared - a notion likely to stoke tensions in the region.

But as Ishiba braces himself for Trump’s unpredictable and transactional approach to foreign policy, and the possibility of new trade barriers, Ishiba might wish to – like one of his predecessors, Shinzo Abe – forge personal ties with Trump.

Ishiba might also hope that Trump – who takes office in January – keeps the current administration’s labelling of Japan as “first” among Aukus partners, the security pact comprising the US, Britain and Australia on projects tied to advanced capabilities.

Last month, Prabowo Subianto took over as Indonesian president, and in a phone call to congratulate Trump last week, both leaders expressed admiration for each other, with Trump saying he would like to visit the Southeast Asian nation “sometime”.

However, analysts have expressed concerns about whether Prabowo can build a rapport with Trump while staving off US protectionism and preventing the new US administration’s climate change policies from affecting Indonesia’s green industries.