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The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is ready to confront her initial significant diplomatic test as she sits down with ex-President Trump for high-stakes discussions in Tokyo.

The agenda of their summit is expected to focus on economic and defense topics, signaling a pivotal moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.

The Significant Leadership and International Introduction

The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the recent Asean summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is regarded as the true test that will establish the direction for future bilateral cooperation.

Navigating Domestic and Global Challenges

The prime minister faces a possibly unstable political situation, having formed a coalition that puts her a couple of votes short of a majority in the powerful lower house of the Diet.

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

Common Views and Diverging Interests

She holds the former president's suspicion of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, but both countries have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic approach.

Recently, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the initial stage of his Asian tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Pledges

The leader has stated her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to raise military expenditure to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a long-held demand from the former US leader and signifies the largest military buildup for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Cooperation and Strains

The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and intends to use domestically developed longer-range systems.

However, the two-way defense treaty remains a source of strain, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should pay more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Talks

Not many expect major agreements on trade issues this week, especially after latest duty changes provided a degree of ease to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to pursue additional benefits by promising greater purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The value the former president attributes to personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite international figures.

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

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

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

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

Afterward, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to engage with China's leader Xi.