🔗 Share this article

The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major foreign policy examination as she sits down with ex-President Trump for important talks in Tokyo.

The focus of their meeting is likely to revolve around economic and security matters, marking a critical moment for Japan's ties with its influential ally.

A Notable Premiership and International Debut

Takaichi, who recently became Japan's first female leader after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her international introduction at the latest Asean summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the true challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.

Navigating Domestic and Global Challenges

Takaichi faces a possibly unstable political landscape, having established a coalition that puts her two seats away of a majority in the influential lower house of parliament.

This means, her administration will depend on opposition MPs to approve laws, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.

Shared Views and Differing Interests

She shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military activities in the Asia-Pacific, but each countries have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" trade approach.

Recently, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodian forces on the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Commitments

The leader has stated her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This move aligns with a long-held request from Trump and signifies the biggest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Defense Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.

But, the bilateral defense treaty remains a source of strain, with the former president previously suggesting that the nation should contribute more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Economic Expectations and Negotiations

Few expect significant agreements on trade matters during the visit, especially after latest duty adjustments provided a degree of ease to the country's export sector.

The PM is expected to seek additional relief by promising greater acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value Trump places on personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred international figures.

He was the first international figure to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close bond over mutual interests such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and International Significance

The former president's trip to Japan will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

This will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the official residence, the very location where he met with the former leader in previous years.

Afterward, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to meet Chinese leader Xi.