. >> reporter: michael armacost served as u.s. ambassador to japan from 1989 to 1993 under president george h.w. bush. his time as a senior government official spanned more than two decades. >> once you inherit the office, even as president-elect, your words take on additional meaning for people outside the country. and so i think there is a more conciliatory tone. he has been providing reassurances to allies. he's been calling a lot of allies. i think that is designed to quell worries or anxieties or apprehensions that were generated by the campaign. that's what you would expect. >> reporter: one concern a lot of japanese have about trump is his stance on defense costs. while campaigning in the spring, trump said japan needs to pay more for hosting u.s. forces. he even mentioned the country should bear 100% of the cost. armacost says once trump gets briefed on the fact that japan is increasing its defense spending, he will take a different approach. >> i think as president-elect trump is better informed about the host nation supp