What Do Japanese People Really Think of Donald Trump?

Hey folks, JPNVenturer here. As someone who’s been living in Japan for nearly a decade mostly diving into the nightlife and fuzoku world I’ve always found it interesting how Japanese people see foreign politics, especially when it’s loud and chaotic like, well… Trump.

Now, I’m not usually the “politics guy.” I’m more likely to be chatting with a hostess in Kabukicho than reading about White House press briefings. But even in the bars, clubs, and massage parlours, people have opinions. And when Trump’s name comes up, there’s usually a bit of an eye roll, or even a laugh. So I thought I’d share what Japanese people actually think about Trump, based on real data from Jeffrey Hall, a political analyst who runs a YouTube channel called Japan Matters. The guy did all the homework so we don’t have to.

Let’s get into it.

Back in 2016, before Trump even moved into the White House, nearly 90% of Japanese people said they preferred Hillary Clinton. That’s… not a good start. A lot of it came down to Trump’s comments about Japan “not paying enough” for U.S. military protection. Add in the usual brashness, and it didn’t sit well with Japan’s more reserved, harmony-focused culture.

Even the older salarymen who usually support strong leadership weren’t sold.

Trust Took a Nosedive After the Election

After Trump won, a 2017 poll showed that over half of Japanese people felt less trust in the U.S. as an ally. Only 2% said they trusted America more. Ouch.

If you’re someone who works in nightlife, like I do, that kind of shift matters. A lot of foreigner-friendly bars and fuzoku spots rely on tourists, many of them American. When Japan feels unsure about the U.S., it affects how locals treat Americans—not in a hostile way, just a bit more cautious.



Trump’s First Term: Still Not a Hit

By the end of 2017, only 18% of Japanese had a positive view of Trump. More than half thought he was doing a bad job. Even people who usually back Japan’s conservative leaders weren’t impressed.

From what I’ve seen around Tokyo’s red-light areas, this didn’t mean Americans were unwelcome—but people were definitely more interested in Canadians, Aussies, or even Brits like me. If you were American, you probably got a few questions like “Do you like Trump?” before the conversation moved on.


The 2020 Election: A Bit of Hope

Before the 2020 rematch, most Japanese people were hoping Trump wouldn’t win again. One poll said 57% thought another Trump term would be bad for Japan, and only 10% thought it would help. People were craving the “calm and stable” vibes of the Obama era. Can’t say I blame them.

In my own circles hostesses, bar managers, even taxi drivers the name “Obama” still gets respectful nods. Trump? Usually a smirk or a joke.

Biden: Boring, But Fine

When Biden won in 2020, Japanese people didn’t throw a party, but they were generally relieved. Only 8% thought U.S.-Japan relations would get worse under him. He didn’t wow anyone, but at least he wasn’t waking people up with tweets at 3AM.


2024: Trump’s Back (and Japan’s Still Not Thrilled)

Now that Trump’s back in office after the 2024 election, I was curious—has Japan warmed up to him?

Not really.

A recent poll showed only 31% of Japanese think his return is good for Japan, while 49% said it’s a bad thing. On top of that, 72% are worried about his “America First” approach. They don’t like being left hanging while the U.S. focuses on itself.

From a nightlife angle, this could mean fewer tourists from Japan’s side wanting to engage with Americans. It might not change the fuzoku scene overnight, but it could influence how locals see foreign customers.

Final Thoughts

Trump’s image in Japan hasn’t really improved. From the Ginza hostess lounges to the soaplands of Yoshiwara, most people I meet aren’t huge fans. That said, Japanese society is polite to a fault—you’ll rarely hear them bash anyone directly. But you’ll know how they feel, especially when they steer the conversation toward Obama or quietly sigh when Trump’s name comes up.

As always, whether you’re here for politics or play, understanding local vibes is key. Respect goes a long way—more than any passport can.

Until next time, stay curious and stay safe out there.