🔗 Share this article The Recently Appointed PM Aims to Benefit from Abe's Influence in Important Negotiations with Trump. Japan's newly elected leader, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to undertake her initial significant foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Trump for crucial negotiations in Tokyo. Attention of their summit is likely to center on trade and security issues, representing a critical juncture for Japan's ties with its influential ally. The Historic Leadership and International Debut The new PM, who just became Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN meeting. But, her upcoming meeting with Trump is considered the real challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral cooperation. Navigating Internal and Global Challenges The prime minister faces a potentially unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the influential chamber of the Diet. Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to approve legislation, adding a layer of complexity to her leadership. Common Perspectives and Diverging Interests Takaichi shares the former president's suspicion of China's defense presence in the region, yet each countries have faced issues from Trump's "America-first" trade policies. Lately, Trump facilitated a truce deal between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the first stage of his Asian visit. Military Expansion and Budget Commitments The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to raise military spending to two percent of GDP by the end of March. This move matches a long-held demand from Trump and signifies the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the WWII. Security Partnership and Tensions The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and plans to deploy locally made extended-range systems. However, the bilateral defense treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil. Economic Expectations and Negotiations Few anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, particularly after latest duty changes provided a degree of ease to Japan's export sector. Takaichi is expected to pursue additional benefits by committing to increased purchases of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas. Personal Rapport and the Abe Connection The importance the former president places on personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred world leaders. He was the first foreign figure to meet Trump after his election, and the pair built a strong relationship over mutual interests such as golf. Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications The former president's visit to Japan will start with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital. This will be followed by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very location where he held talks with Abe in 2019. Subsequently, Trump will proceed to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to engage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.