Japan's Recently Appointed PM Seeks to Leverage Abe's Influence in Important Negotiations with Donald Trump.
The nation's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is set to undertake her primary foreign policy examination as she sits down with ex-President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The agenda of their meeting is anticipated to center on trade and security topics, representing a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its influential ally.
A Notable Premiership and International Debut
Takaichi, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the latest Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is considered the true test that will set the tone for future two-way relations.
Navigating Internal and Global Pressures
The prime minister deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having established a coalition that puts her two seats away of a majority in the influential chamber of the Diet.
Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to pass laws, introducing a layer of complexity to her governance.
Common Perspectives and Diverging Policies
Takaichi shares the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet each countries have experienced issues from his "US-first" trade policies.
Recently, the former president oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the initial leg of his Asian tour.
Military Expansion and Spending Pledges
Takaichi has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to increase defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.
This move matches a long-held demand from Trump and represents the biggest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.
Security Partnership and Strains
The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range missiles.
However, the two-way security treaty remains a point of strain, with Trump earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil.
Trade Outlook and Talks
Not many anticipate significant concessions on economic matters this week, particularly after recent tariff adjustments provided some relief to the country's economy.
The PM is expected to pursue further benefits by promising increased acquisitions of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection
The importance the former president attributes to individual rapport could work in the PM's advantage, given her strong ties with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred international figures.
He was the first international leader to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong bond over shared activities such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
Trump's trip to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
This will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the official residence, the same venue where Trump met with Abe in 2019.
Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
