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The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is set to undertake her first major foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their summit is likely to focus on trade and defense matters, marking a key moment for Japan's ties with its influential partner.

A Historic Premiership and International Introduction

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her international debut at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her upcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the true challenge that will set the tone for coming two-way cooperation.

Navigating Internal and Global Pressures

The prime minister deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having formed a coalition that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential chamber of the Diet.

This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to approve laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests

Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, but each nations have experienced issues from Trump's "US-first" trade policies.

Lately, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia authorities on the first stage of his Asia visit.

Defense Build-up and Spending Commitments

The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, aiming to increase military expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the end of March.

This step aligns with a long-held demand from the former US leader and signifies the largest defense buildup for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and plans to use domestically developed extended-range missiles.

However, the two-way defense treaty remains a source of tension, with the former president earlier stating that Japan should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Few anticipate significant agreements on trade issues during the visit, especially after latest duty adjustments offered some ease to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to pursue additional relief by promising greater acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value the former president attributes to personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.

Abe was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his election, and the pair developed a strong relationship over mutual activities such as golf.

Forthcoming Schedule and Regional Significance

Trump'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 state guest house, the same location where Trump held talks with Abe in previous years.

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