The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Seeks to Benefit from Abe's Influence in Important Talks with Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is set to confront her initial significant foreign policy examination as she meets ex-President Trump for high-stakes discussions in the Japanese capital.
Attention of their encounter is anticipated to center on trade and defense issues, signaling a key juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.
A Significant Premiership and International Debut
Takaichi, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global debut at the latest Asean summit.
But, her upcoming talks with the former president is considered the true challenge that will set the tone for future two-way cooperation.
Navigating Internal and Global Pressures
The prime minister deals with a potentially unstable government situation, having formed a partnership that puts her two seats short of a majority in the powerful chamber of the Diet.
Consequently, her government will depend on other lawmakers to approve laws, adding a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Common Views and Diverging Interests
She shares Trump's wariness of China's military activities in the region, yet each countries have faced issues from his "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the initial stage of his Asian visit.
Defense Build-up and Spending Commitments
The leader has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Strains
The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range systems.
However, the bilateral defense treaty is still a point of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that Japan should contribute more for hosting American forces on its territory.
Economic Outlook and Negotiations
Few expect significant agreements on trade matters this week, especially after latest tariff changes provided a degree of relief to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is expected to seek further relief by promising increased purchases of US products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The value the former president places on individual chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.
He was the initial international leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close relationship over mutual activities such as golf.
Upcoming Agenda and International Implications
The former president's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.
It will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in 2019.
Subsequently, Trump will proceed to South Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to meet Chinese leader Xi.
