Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Shinzo Abe's Connection in Key Talks with Donald Trump.
The nation's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to confront her primary foreign policy challenge as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for crucial talks in Tokyo.
Attention of their meeting is expected to center on trade and defense topics, representing a critical moment for Tokyo's ties with its influential ally.
A Historic Leadership and International Introduction
The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the top position of the governing LDP, had her global introduction at the latest Asean summit.
But, her forthcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral cooperation.
Handling Domestic and International Challenges
The prime minister faces a possibly shaky government landscape, having formed a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her administration will depend on other MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.
Shared Views and Diverging Policies
She holds the former president's wariness of China's military presence in the region, yet each nations have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia authorities on the initial leg of his Asian visit.
Military Build-up and Budget Commitments
The leader has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's military build-up, aiming to increase military spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This step aligns with a longstanding request from Trump and represents the biggest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.
Defense Cooperation and Strains
The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and intends to use locally made longer-range systems.
However, the two-way defense treaty remains a source of tension, with Trump previously stating that the nation should contribute more for hosting US troops on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Talks
Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters this week, particularly after recent tariff adjustments provided a degree of ease to Japan's economy.
Takaichi is likely to pursue further benefits by promising greater purchases of American goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and natural gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The importance Trump attributes to individual chemistry could work in the PM's favor, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.
Abe was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his victory, and the two developed a close relationship over shared interests such as golf.
Upcoming Agenda and International Significance
The former president's visit to the country will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.
It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very venue where Trump met with Abe in 2019.
Afterward, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to engage with Chinese president Xi Jinping.
