The New Prime Minister Hopes to Benefit from Abe's Influence in Key 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 Trump for crucial discussions in the Japanese capital.
The focus of their meeting is likely to center on economic and defense matters, signaling a pivotal juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.
A Historic Leadership and Global Introduction
The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global debut at the latest Asean meeting.
However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is considered the true challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral relations.
Managing Internal and Global Challenges
The prime minister confronts a potentially unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.
This means, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, adding a element of complexity to her governance.
Shared Views and Diverging Policies
She holds the former president's suspicion of China's military presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet each countries have experienced challenges from his "America-first" economic policies.
Recently, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodia forces during the first leg of his Asian visit.
Military Expansion and Spending Pledges
Takaichi has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to raise military spending to two percent of GDP by the end of March.
This step matches a longstanding request from Trump and signifies the largest military buildup for the nation since the Second World War.
Security Partnership and Tensions
The country has also taken steps to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.
However, the bilateral defense treaty is still a point of strain, with the former president previously stating that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil.
Economic Outlook and Negotiations
Few expect major agreements on trade issues during the visit, especially after latest tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.
Takaichi is expected to seek further relief by committing to greater purchases of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link
The value the former president places on personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with the late former prime minister Abe, who was among Trump's favorite world leaders.
He was the initial foreign leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a strong relationship over shared activities such as golf.
Forthcoming Agenda and International Implications
The former president's visit to the country will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.
This will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue 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 leader Xi Jinping.
