The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Seeks to Benefit from Abe's Connection in Important Discussions with Donald Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed leader, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to face her first major foreign policy examination as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for crucial talks in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their encounter is anticipated to center on trade and defense issues, marking a key moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.
A Notable Leadership and Global Introduction
The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing LDP, had her global introduction at the recent ASEAN summit.
However, her upcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the real test that will establish the direction for coming bilateral cooperation.
Navigating Internal and Global Challenges
Takaichi deals with a potentially shaky political situation, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the powerful chamber of the Diet.
Consequently, her administration will depend on other MPs to pass legislation, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.
Shared Views and Diverging Interests
Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's defense activities in the region, but both countries have faced issues from his "US-first" trade approach.
Lately, Trump oversaw a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first leg of his Asia tour.
Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges
The leader has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.
This move aligns with a long-held request from Trump and represents the largest military buildup for the nation since the Second World War.
Security Cooperation and Strains
Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range missiles.
However, the bilateral security treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president previously stating that Japan should pay more for stationing American troops on its soil.
Trade Outlook and Talks
Not many anticipate major concessions on economic issues during the visit, especially after latest duty adjustments provided a degree of relief to Japan's economy.
The PM is expected to pursue additional benefits by promising increased acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president attributes to personal chemistry could benefit the PM's favor, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of his preferred world leaders.
He was the initial foreign figure to visit Trump after his election, and the pair built a strong relationship over shared interests such as golf.
Upcoming Agenda and International Significance
The former president's trip to the country will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
This will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.
Subsequently, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to engage with China's president Xi.
