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Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to confront her primary foreign policy test as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

Attention of their encounter is expected to revolve around trade and security matters, signaling a critical moment for Japan's ties with its influential partner.

A Historic Leadership and Global Debut

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.

Handling Domestic and International Challenges

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

Consequently, her government will rely on other lawmakers to approve laws, introducing a element of complexity to her governance.

Common Views and Differing Policies

Takaichi shares the former president's wariness of China's military presence in the region, yet both nations have faced issues from his "US-first" trade approach.

Lately, Trump facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodian authorities during the first leg of his Asian visit.

Defense Expansion and Budget Pledges

The leader has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise defense spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a longstanding request from Trump and represents the largest military expansion for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

Japan has also moved to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.

However, the two-way security agreement remains a source of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for stationing US forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Talks

Not many anticipate significant agreements on trade matters during the visit, especially after recent tariff adjustments offered a degree of ease to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is expected to seek additional benefits by committing to greater acquisitions of American products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value Trump places on personal rapport could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was one of his favorite international figures.

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

Forthcoming Agenda and International Implications

The former president's trip to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the official residence, the same venue where he held talks with Abe in 2019.

Afterward, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.