“Look at That Leg Hair!” Trump, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-Un… The True Faces of “Four World Dictators” as Seen by a Japanese Journalist

Actually, Trump Is Charming

[U.S.] President Donald Trump (80)

“Oh, you’re from Japan? Please give my regards to my friend Shinzo.”

It was Kenji Minemura (51), a senior researcher at the Canon Institute for Global Studies and a journalist well-versed in international affairs, who was greeted in this friendly manner by U.S. President Trump (80).

This exchange took place during an impromptu interview shortly after Trump first took office in January 2017. “Shinzo” refers to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (now deceased).When Mr. Minemura replied, “Prime Minister Abe is also a friend of mine,” Mr. Trump reportedly gave a warm smile. Mr. Minemura recalls the encounter.

“Mr. Trump gives the impression of being combative and intimidating in front of television cameras. However, when the cameras aren’t rolling, he is a friendly and charming man.Perhaps because I was an acquaintance of former Prime Minister Abe, Mr. Trump took a liking to me, and I was invited almost every year to cocktail parties hosted by the White House—the U.S. presidential residence and official residence—where high-ranking government officials and celebrities gather. While he is a president who divides opinion, I am captivated by his generosity.”

World dictators who have held power for long periods and sometimes exercise authoritarian rule. There are many cases where a single word or action from them can drastically change the international landscape.However, there seems to be a gap between the image of these leaders portrayed by the media and their true selves. Mr. Minemura reveals the true faces of four dictators—including Mr. Trump—whom he has actually encountered up close.

[China] President Xi Jinping (73)

“I first saw China’s Xi Jinping (73) at the Communist Party Congress held in Beijing in October 2007. At the time, he had not yet assumed the presidency and was the head of Shanghai. He made a rather unremarkable impression.His pant legs were too short, and when he sat down, his hairy shins were visible. His hair was tousled from sleeping, and he left quickly after delegating questions from reporters to his staff.

My impression of him changed completely two years later, in December 2009, when he visited Japan as Vice President. He was impeccably dressed and exuded a sense of dignity. What surprised me was his audience with His Majesty the Emperor.As he entered the reception hall, Mr. Xi bent at the waist by a full 90 degrees and bowed deeply to His Majesty the Emperor.

Even on a global scale, royal families with a history of over 2,500 years, like the Imperial Family, are rare. Mr. Xi must have understood the significance of that. I believe he was trying to legitimize his position as China’s leader by expressing deep respect to His Majesty the Emperor.”

Kim Jong-Un Creates a Tense Atmosphere

[North Korea] General Secretary Kim Jong-Un (42)

At the military parade held in Pyongyang, North Korea, in February 2018, I had the opportunity to see General Secretary Kim Jong-Un (42) up close.

“He sat firmly in his chair, his expression stern as he issued orders to his subordinates with precision. A tense atmosphere hung in the air around him, as everyone was careful not to upset him. The mood changed completely when a new type of weapon was unveiled during the parade. Kim clapped his hands loudly, pointed at the new weapon, and was overjoyed. He was acting like a child, full of excitement.

On another occasion, I saw Kim and his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong. After whispering something in Kim’s ear while he remained seated, Kim Yo-jong bustled about, giving instructions to those around her. It felt less like a brother-sister relationship and more like a clear hierarchical relationship between a boss and a secretary.”

[Israel] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (76)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (76), who shows no sign of easing attacks on neighboring Middle Eastern countries such as Iran and Palestine, also leaves a strong impression.

“When Mr. Netanyahu visited the U.S. in March 2015, he happened to be at a restaurant in Washington that I frequented. A former high-ranking U.S. official who was dining with me noticed Mr. Netanyahu and introduced me to him, saying, ‘This is a Japanese journalist.’

When I greeted him, Mr. Netanyahu shook my hand with a strength I’d never experienced before, saying, ‘Nice to meet you’… It was almost painful. What struck me most were his eyes. Even though he was smiling, his eyes weren’t smiling. The depths of his pupils were still as ice, and I sensed a bottomless terror.”

Mr. Minemura continued.

“The post-World War II international order is crumbling, and major powers are reverting to imperialism. Only strong leaders can handle this. What they have in common is that, while they possess a side brimming with humanity, they can also remain ruthlessly cold-hearted when it comes to putting their own country first.”

Even our view of dictators striving to revive their nations might change once we see their true faces.

From the July 17–24, 2026, combined issue of *FRIDAY*