The Recently Appointed PM Aims to Benefit from Abe's Connection in Key Talks with Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is set to face her primary foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Trump for important discussions in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their summit is expected to center on trade and security matters, signaling a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.
A Notable Premiership and Global Introduction
The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.
But, her forthcoming talks with the former president is considered the true challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral relations.
Managing Domestic and Global Pressures
Takaichi confronts a possibly shaky political situation, having established a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her administration will depend on other MPs to pass legislation, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.
Common Views and Diverging Policies
She shares the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, but both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" economic policies.
Lately, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first leg of his Asia tour.
Military Build-up and Spending Pledges
The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's military expansion, planning to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.
This move matches a long-held demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense expansion for the nation since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Strains
Japan has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to use domestically developed extended-range systems.
However, the bilateral defense treaty is still a source of strain, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should contribute more for hosting US forces on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Negotiations
Not many anticipate major agreements on economic matters this week, especially after latest tariff changes offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is likely to seek further benefits by committing to greater purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president attributes to individual rapport could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among his favorite world leaders.
He was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his victory, and the pair built a strong bond over mutual interests such as golf.
Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications
Trump's visit to the country will begin with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
It will be succeeded by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very venue where Trump met with the former leader in previous years.
Afterward, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.
