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The nation's recently chosen leader, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to confront her first major diplomatic examination as she meets former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their summit is expected to center on economic and security topics, representing a key moment for Japan's relationship with its influential ally.

A Significant Leadership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after winning the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global introduction at the latest Asean meeting.

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

Managing Internal and Global Challenges

Takaichi faces a potentially unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.

Shared Perspectives and Differing Policies

She shares Trump's wariness of Chinese military presence in the region, but both countries have faced challenges from his "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the initial leg of his Asian visit.

Defense Build-up and Spending Pledges

The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to increase defense expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This move aligns with a long-held demand from Trump and signifies the largest defense buildup for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

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

However, the bilateral defense treaty is still a source of tension, with the former president earlier stating that the nation should contribute more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Talks

Not many anticipate major agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after recent duty changes offered some ease to Japan's export sector.

The PM is expected to seek further relief by promising increased purchases of US goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump places on personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her strong relationship with the late ex-leader Abe, who was among Trump's favorite international figures.

Abe was the initial international figure to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong relationship over shared activities such as golf.

Upcoming Schedule and International Implications

The former president's trip to Japan will begin with a meeting 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 very venue where he held talks with Abe in 2019.

Afterward, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.