Japan's New Prime Minister Hopes to Leverage Abe's Influence in Key Discussions with Trump.
Japan's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is set to confront her initial significant diplomatic test as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for important discussions in Tokyo.
Attention of their meeting is likely to center on economic and security topics, signaling a critical moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.
A Historic Leadership and International Introduction
The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the recent Asean summit.
However, her upcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way cooperation.
Handling Domestic and International Pressures
The prime minister deals with a potentially shaky government landscape, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the influential chamber of the Diet.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to pass laws, adding a layer of complexity to her leadership.
Common Perspectives and Differing Interests
She holds Trump's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the Asia-Pacific, but both countries have faced challenges from his "America-first" economic approach.
Recently, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the first stage of his Asia tour.
Military Build-up and Spending Commitments
Takaichi has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.
This step aligns with a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the biggest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.
Security Cooperation and Strains
Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.
However, the two-way security treaty remains a point of tension, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should contribute more for hosting American forces on its territory.
Economic Expectations and Negotiations
Not many expect significant concessions on trade issues during the visit, especially after latest tariff changes offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is expected to pursue further relief by promising increased purchases of American products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.
Individual Rapport and the Abe Connection
The importance Trump places on individual rapport could work in Takaichi's favor, given her strong ties with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred world leaders.
He was the first international leader to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a close bond over shared activities such as the sport.
Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications
Trump's trip to Japan will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.
It will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very location where Trump met with the former leader in 2019.
Subsequently, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC summit, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.
