The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Aims to Leverage Abe's Connection in Important Talks with Trump.
The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to undertake her primary diplomatic test as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes discussions in the Japanese capital.
Attention of their meeting is expected to focus on trade and defense topics, marking a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful ally.
The Significant Premiership and Global Introduction
Takaichi, who just assumed the role of Japan's first female leader after securing the top position of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the recent Asean summit.
However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the real test that will establish the direction for future two-way cooperation.
Navigating Domestic and Global Pressures
Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having established a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the influential chamber of the Diet.
This means, her government will rely on opposition lawmakers to approve legislation, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.
Shared Perspectives and Diverging Policies
She holds Trump's wariness of China's defense activities in the region, yet both countries have faced issues from Trump's "US-first" trade approach.
Lately, the former president facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodia forces on the first leg of his Asian tour.
Military Build-up and Spending Commitments
The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This step matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and signifies the largest military expansion for Japan since the WWII.
Defense Cooperation and Strains
Japan has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.
But, the bilateral defense agreement is still a point of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for stationing American troops on its territory.
Trade Expectations and Talks
Few expect significant concessions on trade matters during the visit, especially after latest duty changes offered some relief to Japan's economy.
Takaichi is likely to pursue further benefits by promising greater purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The value the former president attributes to individual chemistry could benefit the PM's advantage, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his favorite world leaders.
He was the initial foreign leader to visit Trump after his election, and the pair built a close bond over shared activities such as the sport.
Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
Trump's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
It will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue where he met with the former leader in 2019.
Afterward, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.
