🔗 Share this article

The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to undertake her primary foreign policy examination as she engages with ex-President Trump for important discussions in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their encounter is expected to center on trade and defense topics, marking a key moment for Japan's ties with its influential ally.

A Notable Premiership and International Introduction

The new PM, who just became Japan's first female prime minister after winning the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the recent Asean summit.

But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is considered the true challenge that will set the tone for coming two-way relations.

Navigating Domestic and International Pressures

Takaichi faces a possibly shaky political situation, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the influential chamber of the Diet.

This means, her administration will depend on opposition MPs to pass laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.

Shared Views and Differing Policies

She shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, but each nations have faced challenges from his "America-first" economic policies.

Recently, Trump oversaw a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodian forces on the initial stage of his Asian tour.

Military Build-up and Spending Pledges

Takaichi has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense expansion, aiming to raise defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product by the end of March.

This move aligns with a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest military expansion for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Strains

The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and plans to use locally made longer-range missiles.

However, the two-way security agreement is still a point of strain, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should pay more for hosting US forces on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Few anticipate significant agreements on trade matters this week, especially after recent tariff adjustments offered some relief to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is expected to pursue additional relief by promising greater acquisitions of American products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance the former president places on individual rapport could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of his favorite international figures.

He was the first international figure to meet Trump after his election, and the pair developed a close bond over mutual activities such as the sport.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

The former president's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.

This will be followed by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the very venue where he held talks with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to meet China's president Xi Jinping.