The stepping down of Michael Flynn from his role as U.S. national security adviser earlier this week represents a blow for Japan because he was predicted to become an effective intermediary between the two countries.
Flynn's resignation -- which took place immediately after U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "golf diplomacy" summit over the weekend -- symbolizes the instability of the Trump administration. But this could just be the start. A senior Japanese government official said, "Events such as this might continue to happen."
Notably, former security adviser Flynn was present at both of the recent meetings between Trump and Abe -- one held inside Trump Tower in Manhattan in November 2016, and the summit meeting carried out in the White House on Feb. 10.
In Japan, it was expected that Flynn would become a key person in terms of Japan-U.S. security policy. This is why the Japanese government made a conscious effort to develop a relationship with Flynn, even before Trump was elected president in November 2016.
Read the full story at The Mainichi