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Japan's freshly appointed leader, Sanae Takaichi, is set to face her primary diplomatic examination as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in the Japanese capital.

The focus of their summit is likely to center on trade and security issues, signaling a pivotal juncture for Japan's ties with its influential ally.

A Notable Premiership and International Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global introduction at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her forthcoming talks with the former president is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.

Handling Domestic and International Pressures

The prime minister deals with a potentially unstable government landscape, having formed a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.

Common Perspectives and Differing Policies

She shares Trump's wariness of China's defense activities in the Asia-Pacific, but each nations have faced issues from his "US-first" trade policies.

Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodian authorities during the first stage of his Asian tour.

Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments

Takaichi has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This step aligns with a long-held demand from the former US leader and represents the biggest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Defense Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.

However, the bilateral security treaty remains a source of tension, with the former president earlier stating that Japan should contribute more for hosting American forces on its territory.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Not many expect significant concessions on economic issues this week, particularly after latest duty changes provided a degree of ease to Japan's economy.

The PM is expected to seek additional relief by committing to greater purchases of American products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance the former president attributes to personal chemistry could work in the PM's favor, given her close ties with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his preferred world leaders.

Abe was the first international figure to meet Trump after his election, and the two built a close bond over shared activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications

The former president's visit to the country will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.

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

Subsequently, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese leader Xi.