🔗 Share this article

The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to face her first major foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

The focus of their meeting is expected to focus on trade and defense topics, representing a critical moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

A Historic Leadership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, made her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her forthcoming talks with Trump is regarded as the real test that will set the tone for future bilateral relations.

Navigating Domestic and International Challenges

The prime minister deals with a possibly shaky government situation, having formed a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes short of a majority in the influential chamber of the Diet.

This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to pass legislation, adding a layer of difficulty to her governance.

Shared Views and Diverging Policies

Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the region, but each countries have faced challenges from his "America-first" trade policies.

Recently, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodian forces on the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Budget Commitments

The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.

This move matches a longstanding demand from the former US leader and signifies the largest defense buildup for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.

But, the bilateral defense agreement remains a source of strain, with Trump previously stating that the nation should pay more for stationing US troops on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many anticipate significant concessions on economic issues during the visit, particularly after recent tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.

Takaichi is likely to pursue further relief by promising increased purchases of American goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Personal Rapport and the Abe Connection

The value Trump places on individual chemistry could benefit the PM's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders.

He was the first foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair developed a close relationship over mutual activities such as golf.

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

The former president's trip to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.

It will be followed by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where Trump met with the former leader in previous years.

Afterward, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.