Japan's Recently Appointed PM Seeks to Benefit from Abe's Connection in Key Negotiations with Donald Trump.
The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to face her primary diplomatic examination as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for crucial negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The agenda of their meeting is expected to focus on trade and defense matters, marking a pivotal juncture for Tokyo's ties with its influential ally.
A Significant Leadership and International Debut
The new PM, who just became Japan's first female leader after winning the top position of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming talks with Trump is considered the real test that will set the tone for coming two-way relations.
Navigating Internal and International Challenges
The prime minister faces a potentially unstable government situation, having established a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her leadership.
Shared Views and Differing Interests
She holds Trump's suspicion of Chinese defense presence in the region, but both nations have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic approach.
Lately, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia forces during the initial leg of his Asian visit.
Defense Expansion and Spending Commitments
Takaichi has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense expansion, planning to increase defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.
This step matches a longstanding demand from Trump and signifies the largest defense buildup for Japan since the Second World War.
Defense Partnership and Tensions
The country has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.
However, the two-way security treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that the nation should contribute more for hosting US forces on its territory.
Economic Outlook and Talks
Not many anticipate major concessions on economic matters during the visit, particularly after recent tariff adjustments offered some relief to the country's economy.
The PM is expected to pursue further benefits by promising increased acquisitions of US goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The importance Trump places on personal rapport could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.
He was the initial international leader to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the two built a strong bond over shared activities such as the sport.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
The former president's trip to the country will start with a audience with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.
This will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the same location where Trump met with Abe in previous years.
Afterward, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC summit, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese president Xi.
