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The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is set to face her first major diplomatic test as she sits down with former US President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

The agenda of their encounter is likely to revolve around trade and security matters, signaling a critical moment for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.

A Notable Leadership and International Debut

The new PM, who recently became Japan's first female leader after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the latest Asean summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for coming two-way cooperation.

Managing Domestic and Global Pressures

The prime minister faces a possibly unstable government landscape, having established a partnership that puts her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.

This means, her administration will depend on other MPs to pass legislation, adding a layer of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Differing Policies

Takaichi shares Trump's wariness of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet each countries have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, Trump facilitated a truce deal between Thai and Cambodia forces on the initial stage of his Asian tour.

Military Expansion and Budget Commitments

The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's defense expansion, planning to raise defense spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This step aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and signifies the largest military expansion for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Cooperation and Strains

Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.

But, the two-way security agreement remains a source of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that the nation should contribute more for stationing US troops on its territory.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Not many anticipate major agreements on economic matters during the visit, particularly after recent tariff changes provided some relief to Japan's economy.

The PM is likely to seek further relief by committing to increased acquisitions of US goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump attributes to personal chemistry could work in the PM's favor, given her strong relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of his preferred world leaders.

He was the initial foreign figure to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close bond over mutual activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Schedule and Regional Implications

The former president's visit to the country will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very location where Trump held talks with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.