Politics is mostly a theater of the weird. Sometimes, though, the script goes completely out the window, and you're left with a viral clip that launches a thousand memes. That's basically what happened recently when people started talking about trump wandering around in japan during his October 2025 visit.
Honestly, the internet has a short memory. If you look at the footage from Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace, it looks like a glitch in the Matrix. There’s Donald Trump, 79 years old, walking briskly past an honor guard, leaving Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, trailing behind like she’s trying to catch a bus. It was awkward. Really awkward.
The Moment Everyone Is Talking About
The "wandering" narrative didn't just come out of nowhere. During the official welcome ceremony, there’s a specific protocol for reviewing the honor guard. You walk, you stop, you bow, you move. Simple, right? Except Trump seemed to have his own internal GPS set to "fast forward."
He marched ahead of Takaichi, appearing to forget the ceremonial pauses. At one point, he saluted the flags and just kept on trucking. Takaichi, who had only been in office for about a week, had to literally reach out and nudge his arm to keep him on the designated path. It wasn't a "lost in the woods" kind of wandering; it was more like a "man on a mission who forgot he had a partner" kind of vibe.
Social media, of course, went nuclear.
👉 See also: Statesville NC Record and Landmark Obituaries: Finding What You Need
Comparisons to Joe Biden’s final term started flying immediately. Critics called it "embarrassing confusion," while supporters argued he was just being his usual, high-energy self, unbothered by "stiff" foreign protocols. The reality usually sits somewhere in the middle. He’s a guy who likes to lead, and sometimes that means he forgets to check if the Prime Minister is still standing next to him.
It’s Not the First Time (Remember the Koi?)
To understand why people are so obsessed with trump wandering around in japan, you have to look back at the 2017 "Koi Gate" incident. That was the original "Trump in Japan" viral moment.
Remember the photos of him dumping a whole wooden box of fish food into a pond at Akasaka Palace?
The internet lost its mind. People called him "impatient" and a "big baby." But here’s the thing: the cameras edited out the part where Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did it first. Abe flicked his wrist and dumped his box, and Trump just followed suit. It’s a classic example of how a five-second clip can completely change the story of a four-day diplomatic mission.
✨ Don't miss: St. Joseph MO Weather Forecast: What Most People Get Wrong About Northwest Missouri Winters
A History of Unconventional Diplomacy
Trump’s relationship with Japan has always been... unique. Most of it was built on a very specific "bro-mance" with the late Shinzo Abe. They didn't just sit in boardrooms. They did things that made career diplomats sweat.
- Sumo Wrestling: Trump was the first U.S. President to present a "President's Cup" (a 54-inch, 70-pound monster of a trophy) to a sumo champion. He didn't sit on the traditional floor cushions; they brought in special armchairs for him.
- The Gold Driver: Abe’s first move to win Trump over back in 2016 was gifting him a $3,800 gold-inlayed golf driver at Trump Tower. It worked.
- Burgers vs. Sushi: While Abe tried to show him high-end Japanese culture, they often ended up eating double cheeseburgers made with U.S. beef.
The 2025 Visit: More Than Just Footwear and Flags
If you ignore the clips of him "wandering" for a second, the October 2025 trip was actually a massive deal for the economy. We're talking about huge numbers.
Japan committed to investing something like $550 billion into U.S. industries. Trump was there to sign off on deals involving AI infrastructure with Mitsubishi Electric and massive energy projects with GE Vernova. These aren't just "photo ops." They are long-term shifts in how the U.S. and Japan handle supply chains, especially with the 15% tariff baseline Trump implemented.
He also spent time on the USS George Washington at the Yokosuka Naval Base. While there, he went on a bit of a tangent about steam-powered catapults vs. electric ones on aircraft carriers. He told the troops he loved the "beautiful steam" pouring off the deck. It’s that kind of unscripted rambling that makes people think he’s "wandering" mentally, even when he’s standing perfectly still.
🔗 Read more: Snow This Weekend Boston: Why the Forecast Is Making Meteorologists Nervous
Why Does This Keep Happening?
The "wandering" label sticks because of Trump's age and his disregard for the "correct" way of doing things. In Japan, protocol is everything. It’s a culture built on precise movements, bowing at the right angle, and never upstaging the host. Trump, by nature, is a disruptor. He walks through a room like he owns it, which often means he’s three steps ahead of where he’s supposed to be.
Is it cognitive decline? Is it just a 79-year-old being a 79-year-old? Or is it a power move?
If you ask a protocol expert, they’ll tell you it’s a nightmare. If you ask a branding expert, they’ll tell you it’s "on brand." Takaichi handled it well, though. She used a light touch to guide him back, showing a level of poise that helped her solidify her own image as a leader who can handle "difficult" personalities.
Actionable Insights for Following Foreign Visits
When you see headlines about a leader "wandering" or "acting confused" abroad, do these three things:
- Watch the Full Video: Viral clips are almost always edited to remove the context (like the 2017 Koi incident).
- Check the Host’s Reaction: If the host leader looks panicked, it’s a problem. If they look like they’re just guiding a guest, it’s probably just a minor protocol slip.
- Look at the Paperwork: While everyone was laughing at Trump walking too fast, the two countries were signing a landmark "Technology Prosperity Deal." That’s usually the part that actually matters for your wallet.
The next time you hear about trump wandering around in japan, remember that diplomacy in the 2020s is half-ceremony and half-chaos. Whether he’s dumping fish food or outwalking a Prime Minister, it’s all part of a very loud, very public performance that defines the modern U.S.-Japan alliance.