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The nation's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is set to confront her first major foreign policy examination as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for crucial discussions in Tokyo.

The agenda of their encounter is expected to focus on trade and security issues, signaling a pivotal moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful partner.

The Significant Leadership and International Introduction

The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her upcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the true challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way cooperation.

Navigating Internal and Global Challenges

Takaichi deals with a potentially unstable government landscape, having established a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.

This means, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Views and Diverging Policies

She shares the former president's suspicion of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet both countries have faced challenges from his "America-first" economic policies.

Recently, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia forces on the initial stage of his Asia tour.

Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges

Takaichi has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military build-up, aiming to increase defense expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest military buildup for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Strains

The country has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and plans to use locally made longer-range missiles.

However, the bilateral defense agreement is still a point of tension, with Trump previously stating that the nation should contribute more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Trade Outlook and Talks

Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, especially after recent tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to Japan's export sector.

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

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance the former president attributes to individual chemistry could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her close ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was among his preferred world leaders.

Abe was the first foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the two developed a close bond over mutual interests such as golf.

Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications

The former president's visit to the country will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

This will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the very location where Trump held talks with Abe in 2019.

Afterward, Trump will travel to South Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.