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The nation's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is set to undertake her initial significant foreign policy examination as she engages with former US President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their encounter is anticipated to center on economic and defense matters, marking a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful partner.

The Significant Premiership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's first female leader after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, had her global introduction at the latest Asean summit.

But, her upcoming talks with the former president is considered the real test that will establish the direction for coming bilateral relations.

Handling Domestic and Global Pressures

The prime minister confronts a potentially unstable political situation, having formed a coalition that puts her two seats short of a majority in the powerful chamber of the Diet.

This means, her administration will rely on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.

Common Views and Diverging Interests

Takaichi shares Trump's wariness of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet both countries have experienced issues from Trump's "America-first" economic policies.

Lately, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the initial leg of his Asia visit.

Defense Build-up and Spending Pledges

The leader has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to increase defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.

This step matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest military expansion for Japan since the WWII.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.

However, the bilateral security agreement is still a point of tension, with the former president earlier stating that Japan should contribute more for stationing American troops on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Talks

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

Takaichi is likely to pursue further relief by committing to greater acquisitions of American products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Abe Connection

The value the former president attributes to personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her strong ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.

Abe was the first international figure to visit Trump after his victory, and the pair built a strong bond over shared interests such as golf.

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

Trump's visit to the country will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very location where Trump held talks with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to engage with China's president Xi Jinping.