The New Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Abe's Legacy in Important Negotiations with Donald Trump.
Japan's newly elected leader, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to face her first major diplomatic test as she engages with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.
Attention of their summit is expected to revolve around trade and defense topics, marking a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.
A Notable Leadership and Global Debut
The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN summit.
But, her upcoming talks with the former president is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for future bilateral cooperation.
Managing Internal and International Challenges
The prime minister deals with a possibly unstable government landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful chamber of the Diet.
This means, her administration will depend on other MPs to pass laws, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.
Shared Views and Diverging Policies
She shares the former president's suspicion of Chinese defense presence in the region, yet both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "US-first" trade approach.
Lately, the former president oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the initial stage of his Asian visit.
Military Expansion and Spending Commitments
The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise defense expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a long-held demand from the former US leader and signifies the largest military buildup for the nation since the WWII.
Security Cooperation and Strains
The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.
But, the bilateral defense agreement remains a point of strain, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should contribute more for hosting US forces on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Negotiations
Not many anticipate major concessions on economic matters this week, especially after latest tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.
Takaichi is likely to seek additional benefits by committing to greater acquisitions of American products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The importance Trump places on individual rapport could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite international figures.
Abe was the initial international leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close bond over shared activities such as golf.
Upcoming Schedule and International Significance
Trump's trip to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
It will be followed by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the same location where he met with the former leader in previous years.
Subsequently, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.
