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Japan's newly elected prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to face her first major diplomatic test as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in the Japanese capital.

The focus of their encounter is expected to focus on economic and defense issues, marking a critical moment for Japan's ties with its influential partner.

The Historic Leadership and International Introduction

Takaichi, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, had her international debut at the latest Asean summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral cooperation.

Managing Domestic and International Challenges

The prime minister confronts a potentially unstable political situation, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats short of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.

This means, her administration will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, introducing a layer of complexity to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Differing Interests

She holds Trump's wariness of China's military presence in the region, but both nations have faced challenges from Trump's "America-first" trade approach.

Lately, the former president oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodian forces on the first leg of his Asia tour.

Military Build-up and Budget Pledges

Takaichi has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move aligns with a longstanding request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Strains

Japan has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range systems.

However, the two-way security treaty remains a source of strain, with the former president earlier stating that Japan should pay more for stationing US forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Negotiations

Few anticipate significant agreements on economic issues during the visit, particularly after latest tariff adjustments offered some relief to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to seek additional relief by committing to increased purchases of US goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump attributes to personal rapport could work in Takaichi's favor, given her strong relationship with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders.

He was the first international figure to visit Trump after his election, and the pair built a close bond over shared interests such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

Trump's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.

This will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.