🔗 Share this article The New Prime Minister Hopes to Utilize Abe's Connection in Key Talks with Trump. Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is set to confront her initial significant diplomatic examination as she sits down with ex-President Trump for important talks in the Japanese capital. The focus of their encounter is expected to center on trade and security matters, signaling a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its influential ally. A Significant Premiership and International Debut The new PM, who recently became Japan's first female leader after winning the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her international debut at the latest Asean meeting. However, her forthcoming talks with Trump is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way relations. Managing Domestic and Global Pressures Takaichi confronts a potentially unstable political 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. Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, adding a element of difficulty to her governance. Common Perspectives and Diverging Policies She shares the former president's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, but both countries have experienced challenges from his "US-first" economic policies. Recently, Trump oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodian authorities on the initial stage of his Asia visit. Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges Takaichi has stated her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, aiming to raise defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March. This move aligns with a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the biggest defense buildup for Japan since the WWII. Security Cooperation and Tensions Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to use domestically developed extended-range systems. But, the bilateral security agreement remains a point of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for stationing American forces on its territory. Economic Expectations and Talks Not many expect major agreements on economic issues this week, especially after latest tariff changes provided some relief to the country's export sector. Takaichi is expected to seek additional relief by committing to greater acquisitions of US products, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas. Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link The value Trump attributes to individual rapport could work in the PM's favor, given her strong ties with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders. Abe was the initial foreign leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a close relationship over shared interests such as the sport. Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications The former president's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo. It will be followed by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years. Subsequently, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to engage with Chinese president Xi.