Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Shinzo Abe's Connection in Crucial Negotiations with Donald Trump.
The nation's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is ready to confront her primary foreign policy challenge as she meets former US President Trump for crucial talks in Tokyo.
The agenda of their summit is expected to center on economic and defense matters, representing a critical moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.
A Historic Premiership and Global Debut
Takaichi, who recently became Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN meeting.
However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the true test that will set the tone for future bilateral relations.
Managing Domestic and International Challenges
The prime minister faces a potentially unstable government landscape, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
This means, her government will rely on other lawmakers to pass legislation, adding a element of complexity to her governance.
Common Views and Diverging Policies
Takaichi shares the former president's suspicion of China's military presence in the region, but each nations have experienced issues from Trump's "America-first" trade approach.
Lately, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities on the first leg of his Asia visit.
Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments
The leader has stated her commitment to accelerate Japan's military build-up, aiming to increase defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This move aligns with a long-held request from Trump and represents the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the WWII.
Defense Partnership and Tensions
Japan has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to use locally made longer-range systems.
However, the two-way defense agreement is still a point of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for stationing US forces on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Talks
Few anticipate significant agreements on trade matters during the visit, particularly after latest tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.
Takaichi is expected to seek further benefits by promising increased purchases of US goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Abe Connection
The value the former president places on individual chemistry could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite world leaders.
Abe was the initial international leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair developed a close bond over shared activities such as the sport.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
The former president's trip to Japan will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
It will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.
Afterward, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to meet China's president Xi.
