The Recently Appointed PM Hopes to Leverage Abe's Influence in Key Talks with Donald Trump.
The nation's newly elected leader, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to confront her initial significant diplomatic challenge as she meets former US President Donald Trump for crucial discussions in Tokyo.
The focus of their encounter is expected to center on economic and defense topics, marking a key moment for Japan's relationship with its powerful partner.
A Historic Premiership and International Debut
The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after securing the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her international debut at the recent Asean summit.
But, her upcoming meeting with Trump is regarded as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral relations.
Navigating Internal and Global Pressures
The prime minister confronts a possibly shaky political landscape, having formed a coalition that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.
Shared Perspectives and Diverging Policies
She holds the former president's suspicion of Chinese military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet both nations have faced issues from his "US-first" trade policies.
Recently, Trump oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the first stage of his Asian visit.
Defense Expansion and Spending Commitments
The leader has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.
This step aligns with a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.
Defense Cooperation and Tensions
Japan has also taken steps to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and intends to use domestically developed extended-range systems.
But, the bilateral defense treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president previously stating that the nation should contribute more for stationing American troops on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Talks
Not many anticipate major concessions on economic matters this week, particularly after recent tariff adjustments offered a degree of relief to the country's export sector.
The PM is likely to seek further benefits by promising greater purchases of US goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.
Individual Rapport and the Abe Link
The importance Trump attributes to personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's favor, given her strong relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was among Trump's favorite international figures.
He was the first international figure to meet Trump after his victory, and the two built a strong bond over shared activities such as golf.
Upcoming Agenda and International Implications
Trump's visit to Japan will begin with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
It will be succeeded by discussions with Takaichi at the official residence, the same location where Trump met with Abe in 2019.
Afterward, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.