The Recently Appointed Prime Minister Aims to Utilize Abe's Legacy in Crucial Negotiations with Donald Trump.
The nation's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is ready to confront her initial significant foreign policy test as she engages with ex-President Donald Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.
Attention of their summit is anticipated to center on trade and security issues, signaling a critical moment for Japan's ties with its influential ally.
A Significant Premiership and International Introduction
The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the recent ASEAN meeting.
But, her forthcoming talks with Trump is considered the real challenge that will establish the direction for coming bilateral cooperation.
Managing Internal and Global Challenges
Takaichi deals with a potentially unstable government situation, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful chamber of parliament.
Consequently, her government will depend on other MPs to pass laws, adding a layer of difficulty to her leadership.
Common Views and Diverging Policies
She shares the former president's suspicion of Chinese military activities in the region, yet both nations have experienced issues from Trump's "America-first" economic approach.
Lately, the former president facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first stage of his Asia visit.
Military Build-up and Spending Pledges
The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to increase military spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This step matches a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense buildup for Japan since the Second World War.
Security Partnership and Strains
Japan has also moved to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and intends to use locally made longer-range systems.
However, the two-way defense agreement is still a source of strain, with the former president earlier stating that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil.
Trade Expectations and Talks
Not many anticipate significant concessions on economic matters this week, especially after recent duty changes provided a degree of ease to the country's economy.
Takaichi is expected to seek further benefits by committing to greater acquisitions of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value Trump attributes to personal rapport could work in the PM's favor, given her close relationship with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's favorite international figures.
He was the initial international figure to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair built a strong relationship over mutual interests such as the sport.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
Trump's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in the capital.
It will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the official residence, the same location where he held talks with Abe in 2019.
Subsequently, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.
