The Recently Appointed PM Hopes to Utilize Abe's Legacy in Crucial Talks with Trump.
The nation's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is preparing to face her initial significant diplomatic examination as she sits down with former US President Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The agenda of their encounter is anticipated to focus on economic and defense topics, signaling a critical moment for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.
A Historic Premiership and Global Debut
Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true challenge that will establish the direction for coming bilateral relations.
Managing Domestic and Global Challenges
Takaichi confronts a potentially shaky political situation, having established a partnership that puts her two seats away of a majority in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.
Common Perspectives and Diverging Policies
She shares Trump's wariness of Chinese military activities in the region, but each countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" economic approach.
Lately, Trump oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodian forces during the first stage of his Asia visit.
Military Build-up and Budget Pledges
The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise military expenditure to two percent of gross domestic product by the end of March.
This move aligns with a long-held request from Trump and represents the largest military expansion for the nation since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Tensions
Japan has also moved to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to use locally made longer-range systems.
However, the bilateral security treaty is still a point of tension, with the former president previously stating that the nation should contribute more for hosting American forces on its soil.
Economic Expectations and Negotiations
Few expect significant agreements on economic matters during the visit, particularly after latest duty changes offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is likely to pursue further benefits by promising greater acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Abe Link
The importance the former president attributes to personal rapport could benefit the PM's favor, given her close ties with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of his favorite world leaders.
Abe was the first foreign figure to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the two built a close bond over mutual interests such as the sport.
Upcoming Schedule and Regional Significance
The former president's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.
This will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very location where Trump met with the former leader in 2019.
Afterward, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to meet Chinese leader Xi.
