Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba is advocating for a strengthened alliance with the U.S. as crucial for regional stability, citing concerns over China's military assertiveness and North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Despite leading a minority government, Ishiba aims for talks with President-elect Trump to align on Northeast Asian security issues. Domestic challenges include negotiating with opposition forces and addressing long-standing gender biases in surname laws. The Prime Minister's efforts come at a time when Japan faces heightened security threats from regional neighbors and internal political shifts.