The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Abe's Influence in Key Negotiations with Trump.
The nation's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is ready to confront her initial significant foreign policy examination as she engages with ex-President Trump for crucial discussions in the Japanese capital.
The agenda of their encounter is likely to focus on trade and defense issues, signaling a key moment for Japan's relationship with its powerful partner.
A Significant Leadership and International Debut
The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the top position of the governing LDP, made her global debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.
However, her upcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the real test that will set the tone for coming bilateral cooperation.
Navigating Domestic and Global Challenges
The prime minister confronts a possibly unstable political landscape, having formed a coalition that puts her a couple of votes short of a majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her administration will depend on other MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.
Common Views and Differing Policies
Takaichi shares Trump's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, but both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic approach.
Recently, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia authorities during the first stage of his Asian visit.
Defense Build-up and Spending Commitments
The leader has stated her determination to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to raise defense expenditure to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This step matches a long-held demand from Trump and signifies the largest defense expansion for the nation since the Second World War.
Security Partnership and Tensions
The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to deploy locally made longer-range systems.
However, the bilateral defense treaty remains a source of strain, with the former president previously stating that Japan should contribute more for stationing American forces on its territory.
Trade Expectations and Talks
Few anticipate major agreements on trade matters this week, particularly after recent tariff changes offered a degree of ease to the country's economy.
The PM is expected to pursue additional relief by committing to increased purchases of US goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Abe Link
The importance the former president attributes to personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was one of his preferred world leaders.
Abe was the initial foreign figure to visit Trump after his election, and the pair built a close bond over shared activities such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Significance
Trump's visit to Japan will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
This will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where Trump held talks with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to engage with China's president Xi Jinping.
