The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Aims to Leverage Shinzo Abe's Connection in Key Negotiations with Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major foreign policy examination as she engages with former US President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.
Attention of their encounter is expected to focus on trade and defense topics, signaling a critical juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.
The Significant Leadership and Global Introduction
Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way cooperation.
Handling Internal and Global Challenges
Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable government situation, having established a coalition that puts her two seats short of a majority in the influential chamber of parliament.
This means, her government will depend on other lawmakers to approve laws, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.
Shared Views and Diverging Policies
Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet each nations have faced challenges from his "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, Trump facilitated a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the initial stage of his Asian tour.
Military Expansion and Spending Pledges
The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a long-held demand from Trump and signifies the largest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Tensions
The country has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and intends to use locally made extended-range systems.
However, the bilateral security agreement remains a source of tension, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should contribute more for hosting American forces on its soil.
Economic Expectations and Negotiations
Few anticipate major agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after recent duty adjustments offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.
The PM is likely to seek further relief by promising increased acquisitions of US goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value the former president attributes to personal chemistry could benefit the PM's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was among his favorite international figures.
He was the first international figure to visit Trump after his election, and the two built a close relationship over shared activities such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Significance
The former president's trip to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same location where Trump held talks with the former leader in previous years.
Afterward, Trump will travel to South Korea for the APEC summit, where he is scheduled to engage with China's president Xi.
