🔗 Share this article

The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to face her initial significant diplomatic examination as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their summit is expected to focus on economic and defense matters, signaling a critical juncture for Japan's ties with its influential ally.

The Significant Premiership and International Debut

Takaichi, who recently became Japan's first female prime minister after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, had her international introduction at the latest ASEAN meeting.

But, her upcoming meeting with the former president is considered the real test that will set the tone for future two-way relations.

Handling Internal and Global Challenges

The prime minister faces a possibly shaky political landscape, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will depend on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Policies

She shares the former president's suspicion of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, but both countries have faced challenges from Trump's "America-first" trade policies.

Lately, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodia forces during the first stage of his Asian tour.

Defense Build-up and Budget Commitments

The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise military expenditure to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a longstanding request from Trump and represents the biggest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

Japan has also moved to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range systems.

But, the two-way defense treaty remains a source of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for stationing American troops on its soil.

Trade Outlook and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major concessions on trade matters this week, especially after latest tariff changes offered a degree of relief to Japan's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to pursue additional benefits by promising increased purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump attributes to personal rapport could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her strong relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred world leaders.

He was the first foreign figure to visit Trump after his victory, and the two developed a close relationship over shared activities such as the sport.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

The former president's visit to the country will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where he met with Abe in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.