The Recently Appointed PM Aims to Benefit from Shinzo Abe's Influence in Key Discussions with Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is preparing to undertake her initial significant foreign policy challenge as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for important talks in the Japanese capital.
The agenda of their meeting is likely to focus on trade and defense issues, signaling a pivotal juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.
The Historic Premiership and International Introduction
The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the latest Asean summit.
But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is regarded as the true test that will set the tone for future two-way cooperation.
Managing Domestic and International Challenges
Takaichi faces a potentially shaky government situation, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her administration will rely on other MPs to approve laws, adding a element of difficulty to her governance.
Common Perspectives and Differing Interests
Takaichi shares the former president's suspicion of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, but each countries have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" trade policies.
Lately, Trump facilitated a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities on the first stage of his Asia visit.
Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges
The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to increase military expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.
This move aligns with a long-held request from the former US leader and represents the largest military buildup for the nation since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Tensions
The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and plans to use domestically developed longer-range missiles.
However, the two-way defense agreement is still a source of tension, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should contribute more for stationing US troops on its soil.
Economic Expectations and Talks
Few expect significant concessions on trade issues this week, especially after recent tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.
The PM is likely to seek further relief by promising increased acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.
Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value the former president attributes to individual rapport could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.
Abe was the initial international figure to visit Trump after his victory, and the two built a strong relationship over mutual interests such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
The former president's trip to Japan will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
It will be followed by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where Trump met with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.
