Japan's Recently Appointed PM Seeks to Leverage Abe's Legacy in Key Negotiations with Donald Trump.
Japan's recently chosen leader, Takaichi, is ready to undertake her initial significant foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for crucial negotiations in Tokyo.
Attention of their meeting is likely to focus on economic and defense topics, marking a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its powerful partner.
The Significant Leadership and International Debut
The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female leader after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.
But, her forthcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the real challenge that will establish the direction for coming bilateral relations.
Managing Internal and International Challenges
Takaichi faces a possibly shaky political situation, having established a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her administration will depend on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.
Shared Views and Diverging Policies
She holds the former president's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the region, but each nations have faced challenges from his "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the initial leg of his Asian visit.
Defense Build-up and Spending Commitments
The leader has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise military spending to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.
This step aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense buildup for Japan since the WWII.
Defense Cooperation and Strains
The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and intends to use locally made extended-range missiles.
But, the two-way defense agreement is still a source of strain, with the former president previously stating that the nation should pay more for stationing US forces on its territory.
Trade Outlook and Talks
Few expect significant concessions on economic matters this week, particularly after recent duty changes provided a degree of relief to the country's economy.
Takaichi is expected to seek additional relief by committing to increased acquisitions of US goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link
The importance the former president attributes to personal rapport could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.
Abe was the first international leader to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the two developed a strong relationship over shared interests such as golf.
Forthcoming Schedule and International Significance
The former president's trip to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.
This will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the official residence, the same location where Trump held talks with Abe in 2019.
Subsequently, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to engage with Chinese leader Xi.
