The New PM Seeks to Leverage Abe's Connection in Crucial Negotiations with Donald Trump.
Japan's freshly appointed leader, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major diplomatic challenge as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for crucial negotiations in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their encounter is anticipated to center on trade and defense topics, representing a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its influential partner.
A Significant Premiership and International Introduction
The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her global introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is considered the true challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral cooperation.
Handling Internal and Global Challenges
The prime minister confronts a potentially shaky government situation, having established a partnership that puts her two seats away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.
This means, her government will rely on other lawmakers to approve laws, adding a layer of complexity to her leadership.
Shared Views and Differing Interests
Takaichi holds Trump's suspicion of Chinese defense presence in the region, yet each nations have faced challenges from his "US-first" economic policies.
Lately, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodian forces on the first leg of his Asia tour.
Defense Expansion and Spending Pledges
Takaichi has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a longstanding demand from Trump and represents the biggest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.
Security Cooperation and Tensions
The country has also taken steps to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and plans to use domestically developed extended-range missiles.
However, the two-way security agreement is still a source of strain, with the former president previously stating that Japan should pay more for hosting US forces on its territory.
Economic Expectations and Negotiations
Few anticipate major concessions on economic matters during the visit, particularly after recent tariff adjustments offered some relief to Japan's export sector.
The PM is likely to seek additional relief by promising greater purchases of American products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president places on personal chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.
Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his election, and the two built a strong relationship over mutual activities such as the sport.
Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications
The former president's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.
It will be followed by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same location where he met with Abe in 2019.
Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's president Xi Jinping.
