Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Shinzo Abe's Influence in Important Negotiations with Trump.
The nation's recently chosen leader, Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major foreign policy examination as she meets former US President Trump for crucial negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their encounter is expected to focus on trade and defense matters, marking a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful ally.
A Notable Premiership and International Debut
The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global introduction at the latest Asean summit.
But, her upcoming talks with Trump is regarded as the true challenge that will set the tone for future two-way cooperation.
Managing Domestic and Global Pressures
Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
Consequently, her government will rely on opposition MPs to approve laws, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Common Views and Differing Policies
She shares Trump's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, but each nations have faced challenges from his "America-first" economic policies.
Recently, the former president facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the first leg of his Asia visit.
Defense Build-up and Spending Commitments
The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to raise defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.
This move aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the biggest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.
Defense Cooperation and Tensions
Japan has also moved to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy locally made extended-range systems.
But, the two-way security agreement remains a source of tension, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should contribute more for stationing US troops on its soil.
Economic Expectations and Negotiations
Few anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, particularly after recent duty adjustments offered a degree of ease to the country's economy.
Takaichi is likely to seek additional benefits by promising greater acquisitions of American products, including vehicles, soybeans, and natural gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value Trump places on personal chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.
Abe was the first foreign figure to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the two built a close bond over mutual activities such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and International Implications
The former president's visit to Japan will begin with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
It will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue where Trump met with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to engage with China's president Xi Jinping.
