Japan's Recently Appointed PM Seeks to Leverage Abe's Legacy in Key Discussions with Trump.
The nation's recently chosen leader, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to confront her primary diplomatic test as she engages with ex-President Donald Trump for crucial discussions in the Japanese capital.
Attention of their encounter is expected to revolve around economic and defense topics, marking a pivotal moment for Japan's relationship with its powerful ally.
The Notable Leadership and Global Debut
Takaichi, who just became Japan's first female prime minister after securing the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her global introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming talks with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way cooperation.
Navigating Internal and Global Pressures
The prime minister confronts a possibly shaky government landscape, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
This means, her government will rely on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Common Perspectives and Differing Policies
She shares Trump's suspicion of China's military activities in the region, yet both nations have experienced issues from his "US-first" economic approach.
Lately, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the first leg of his Asian visit.
Defense Build-up and Spending Pledges
The leader has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to raise military expenditure to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a longstanding demand from Trump and represents the biggest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.
Security Cooperation and Strains
Japan has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range systems.
However, the two-way defense treaty is still a source of tension, with the former president earlier stating that the nation should pay more for stationing US forces on its territory.
Economic Expectations and Talks
Not many anticipate significant concessions on trade issues this week, especially after recent tariff adjustments offered some ease to the country's economy.
Takaichi is expected to seek further relief by committing to greater purchases of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.
Personal Rapport and the Abe Link
The importance Trump attributes to personal rapport could work in the PM's advantage, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred international figures.
Abe was the initial foreign figure to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong relationship over mutual interests such as golf.
Upcoming Agenda and Regional Significance
The former president's visit to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.
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.
Subsequently, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to meet China's leader Xi Jinping.
