Japan's Recently Appointed Prime Minister Seeks to Leverage Shinzo Abe's Connection in Crucial Talks with Trump.
The nation's newly elected leader, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their meeting is likely to center on trade and defense matters, signaling a key moment for Japan's relationship with its influential ally.
A Notable Leadership and International Introduction
The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, had her global debut at the recent ASEAN summit.
But, her upcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the real test that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.
Navigating Internal and Global Challenges
The prime minister faces a potentially shaky government landscape, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful chamber of parliament.
This means, her administration will depend on other MPs to approve laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her leadership.
Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests
She holds the former president's wariness of China's military presence in the region, but each countries have experienced challenges from his "America-first" trade approach.
Recently, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the initial leg of his Asia tour.
Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges
The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to increase military spending to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This step aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense buildup for Japan since the WWII.
Security Cooperation and Tensions
Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.
But, the two-way security agreement remains a source of tension, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should contribute more for stationing US troops on its soil.
Trade Expectations and Talks
Not many expect significant agreements on trade matters this week, particularly after latest duty adjustments offered some ease to Japan's economy.
The PM is expected to seek additional benefits by committing to greater purchases of US products, including vehicles, soybeans, and natural gas.
Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value Trump attributes to personal chemistry could benefit the PM's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite international figures.
Abe was the first international figure to meet Trump after his victory, and the two built a strong bond over shared interests such as golf.
Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications
The former president's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
This will be followed by talks with the PM at the official residence, the same location where he held talks with the former leader in 2019.
Subsequently, Trump will proceed to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
