Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Hopes to Leverage Shinzo Abe's Connection in Important Discussions with Trump.

Japan's recently chosen leader, Sanae Takaichi, is set to confront her first major foreign policy challenge as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for crucial talks in Tokyo.

The focus of their summit is anticipated to revolve around trade and defense topics, signaling a key juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.

A Historic Premiership and International Debut

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, had her international introduction at the latest Asean meeting.

However, her upcoming talks with Trump is regarded as the real test that will set the tone for future two-way cooperation.

Managing Domestic and International Pressures

Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable government situation, having established a coalition that puts her two seats away of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Common Perspectives and Diverging Policies

Takaichi shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military activities in the region, but each nations have faced issues from Trump's "US-first" trade policies.

Recently, Trump facilitated a truce deal between Thai and Cambodia forces during the initial stage of his Asia visit.

Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments

The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This step matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest defense buildup for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Partnership and Strains

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range systems.

However, the bilateral defense agreement remains a point of tension, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should contribute more for stationing US forces on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Few anticipate significant agreements on economic matters this week, particularly after recent tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to Japan's export sector.

The PM is expected to seek further relief by promising increased purchases of American products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump attributes to personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.

He was the first international leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two built a close relationship over shared activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

Trump's trip to Japan will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same location where Trump met with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese president Xi Jinping.