Japan's Recently Appointed PM Hopes to Leverage Abe's Connection in Crucial Talks with Donald Trump.
The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is set to face her first major foreign policy examination as she meets ex-President Trump for important talks in Tokyo.
The agenda of their meeting is likely to center on trade and security topics, signaling a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its influential ally.
The Historic Premiership and Global Debut
Takaichi, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female leader after winning the leadership of the ruling LDP, had her international introduction at the latest ASEAN summit.
However, her forthcoming talks with Trump is considered the true challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral cooperation.
Managing Internal and International Pressures
The prime minister confronts a potentially unstable government landscape, having established a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.
Consequently, her administration will rely on other lawmakers to approve legislation, adding a element of complexity to her governance.
Common Perspectives and Differing Interests
She shares Trump's suspicion of Chinese military activities in the region, but both nations have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic policies.
Recently, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces on the first stage of his Asian tour.
Military Expansion and Budget Commitments
The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise military spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.
This step matches a longstanding demand from Trump and signifies the biggest defense buildup for the nation since the Second World War.
Defense Partnership and Tensions
The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.
However, the two-way security treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its territory.
Trade Outlook and Talks
Few expect major concessions on trade matters this week, particularly after latest tariff changes offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is expected to seek further benefits by promising greater acquisitions of American goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president places on individual chemistry could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with the late former prime minister Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred international figures.
He was the first international leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a close bond over shared interests such as golf.
Upcoming Schedule and International Significance
The former president's trip to the country will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.
This will be followed by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same location where he met with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to meet China's leader Xi.
