Trump In Japan: I’m Not ‘Personally’ Bothered By North Korea Missile Test

President Donald Trump was in Japan on Monday for a visit with a key ally, but he has consistently struck the wrong tone, downplaying Japanese concerns and coming close to insulting his hosts. At a press conference Monday, Trump dismissed North Korean missile tests.

Trump was asked if he was bothered by the tests and told reporters: “I’m not. I personally am not.” This is in stark contrast with his National Security Advisor John Bolton and the Japanese government, who have serious concerns about the North Korean dictatorships use of missiles.

“I’m not in a rush,” Trump said. “Tremendous sanctions being put on the country of North Korea.” He went on to talk about the North Korean economy yet again, a theme he keeps returning to, often to praise Kim Jong-un and suggest he should come to the table.

“My people think it could have been a violation, as you know. I view it differently,” Trump said of the missile tests. “I view it as a man, perhaps he wants to get attention, and perhaps not. Who knows? It doesn’t matter.”

It’s well-known that Trump doesn’t care for Bolton, having previously mocked his mustache. Bolton is also a hawk whose calls for war with Iran jar with Trump’s noted aversion to war in the Middle East. Trump has panned the invasion of Iraq in 2003, when Bolton was US ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump’s casual attitude to North Korea, and occasional friendly words for Kim, are seriously worrying for Japan, which is in range of North Korea’s missiles.