Japan's Recently Appointed PM Hopes to Leverage Abe's Legacy in Important Talks with Trump.

Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to undertake her primary diplomatic examination as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for crucial discussions in Tokyo.

The focus of their encounter is likely to center on trade and defense matters, marking a critical juncture for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

A Significant Premiership and International Introduction

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her international debut at the latest Asean summit.

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

Handling Domestic and Global Challenges

The prime minister deals with a potentially unstable government situation, having established a partnership that puts her two seats short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

This means, her government will rely on other lawmakers to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her leadership.

Common Views and Diverging Policies

She holds the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, yet both nations have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic policies.

Lately, Trump facilitated a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodian forces on the first stage of his Asian visit.

Military Expansion and Budget Commitments

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

This step aligns with a long-held request from Trump and represents the largest military buildup for Japan since the WWII.

Security Partnership and Strains

Japan has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the United States, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security treaty remains a source of tension, with the former president earlier stating that Japan should pay more for hosting US forces on its soil.

Trade Outlook and Talks

Few expect major concessions on economic issues during the visit, particularly after latest duty changes offered a degree of relief to the country's economy.

Takaichi is likely to seek additional relief by committing to increased acquisitions of US products, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance Trump places on individual chemistry could benefit the PM's favor, given her strong ties with assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred world leaders.

He was the initial foreign leader to visit Trump after his victory, and the two developed a strong bond over mutual activities such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and International Implications

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

This will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the same location where Trump held talks with the former leader in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to meet China's leader Xi Jinping.