🔗 Share this article

Japan's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is set to face her first major foreign policy examination as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

The focus of their summit is expected to revolve around trade and security topics, marking a key moment for Japan's relationship with its influential partner.

The Significant Leadership and International Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, had her global debut at the recent Asean summit.

But, her upcoming meeting with the former president is considered the real test that will establish the direction for coming bilateral cooperation.

Handling Domestic and Global Pressures

The prime minister deals with a potentially unstable political situation, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her administration will rely on other MPs to approve legislation, adding a layer of difficulty to her leadership.

Common Perspectives and Diverging Policies

Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's defense activities in the Asia-Pacific, but each nations have experienced issues from his "US-first" trade policies.

Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia forces on the first leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges

The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, aiming to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a long-held demand from Trump and represents the biggest defense buildup for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also moved to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security treaty is still a source of strain, with the former president previously stating that the nation should pay more for stationing American forces on its soil.

Trade Expectations and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters this week, especially after latest duty adjustments offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to seek additional relief by promising increased acquisitions of US goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance the former president attributes to individual chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred international figures.

He was the initial international leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close bond over shared interests such as golf.

Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

Trump's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

It will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.

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