🔗 Share this article

The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to face her primary foreign policy test as she meets former US President Donald Trump for crucial negotiations in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their encounter is expected to revolve around trade and defense topics, representing a key moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.

The Notable Leadership and Global Debut

The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling LDP, had her international introduction at the recent ASEAN summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is regarded as the true test that will set the tone for future bilateral cooperation.

Handling Domestic and International Challenges

Takaichi deals with a possibly shaky government situation, having established a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a majority in the powerful chamber of the Diet.

This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to pass legislation, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests

She shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, but both nations have experienced issues from Trump's "America-first" trade approach.

Lately, Trump oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the initial leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Expansion and Budget Pledges

The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.

This move matches a longstanding request from Trump and signifies the largest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.

Security Cooperation and Strains

The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range systems.

But, the two-way defense agreement is still a point of tension, with the former president earlier stating that the nation should pay more for stationing American forces on its soil.

Trade Expectations and Talks

Not many anticipate significant agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after latest duty changes offered some relief to the country's economy.

The PM is expected to seek additional relief by committing to greater purchases of American products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value the former president attributes to individual chemistry could benefit the PM's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.

Abe was the first international figure to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair developed a strong bond over mutual activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

Trump's visit to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.

This will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very location where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to engage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.