Is Japan’s US$550-billion promise to Trump just a ‘signing bonus’ with strings attached?

Despite US President Donald Trump having congratulated Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on her recent election triumph, Tokyo is under pressure to deliver on colossal investments promised in the United States. Ahead of the possible announcement of the first projects this week and Takaichi’s scheduled visit to the White House next month, what exactly has Japan pledged, what uncertainties remain, and what is at stake? What was agreed? In July, Japan agreed to invest US$550 billion through...