Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Seeks to Benefit from Abe's Influence in Crucial Discussions with Trump.
Japan's recently chosen leader, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to confront her initial significant foreign policy examination as she engages with ex-President Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.
The agenda of their summit is anticipated to center on trade and defense matters, marking a pivotal moment for Japan's relationship with its powerful partner.
The Significant Leadership and Global Debut
Takaichi, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.
But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.
Handling Domestic and International Challenges
The prime minister confronts a possibly shaky government situation, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the powerful chamber of parliament.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to approve laws, adding a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Shared Perspectives and Differing Interests
She shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, yet each nations have experienced issues from Trump's "America-first" economic approach.
Lately, the former president oversaw a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodian authorities on the initial stage of his Asian visit.
Military Expansion and Spending Pledges
Takaichi has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise military spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest defense expansion for the nation since the Second World War.
Defense Cooperation and Tensions
The country has also taken steps to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and plans to use locally made extended-range missiles.
However, the two-way security treaty is still a point of strain, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for stationing US forces on its soil.
Economic Expectations and Talks
Not many anticipate major agreements on economic matters during the visit, particularly after latest duty adjustments provided a degree of ease to Japan's economy.
The PM is likely to seek additional benefits by committing to greater purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president places on personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's favor, given her strong relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.
Abe was the first foreign figure to meet Trump after his election, and the pair built a strong relationship over mutual activities such as the sport.
Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
Trump's trip to the country will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.
It will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same location where he held talks with Abe in previous years.
Subsequently, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is scheduled to meet China's president Xi.
