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The nation's recently chosen prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to confront her first major foreign policy test as she meets ex-President Donald Trump for crucial discussions in Tokyo.

The agenda of their encounter is likely to center on trade and security issues, signaling a pivotal juncture for Japan's relationship with its powerful ally.

The Significant Leadership and International Debut

Takaichi, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing LDP, made her international debut at the latest ASEAN summit.

However, her forthcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the true test that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.

Managing Domestic and Global Challenges

The prime minister faces a potentially shaky government situation, having formed a partnership that puts her two seats short of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.

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

Common Views and Differing Policies

She shares the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, but each nations have faced issues from his "America-first" economic approach.

Recently, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the initial leg of his Asian tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Commitments

Takaichi has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, aiming to increase military expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a longstanding demand from Trump and signifies the largest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.

Defense Cooperation and Tensions

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

However, the bilateral security agreement is still a point of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for stationing US troops on its soil.

Economic Expectations and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters this week, especially after latest tariff changes provided some ease to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is expected to pursue further relief by promising greater purchases of American goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value Trump attributes to individual chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with the late former prime minister Abe, who was among Trump's favorite world leaders.

Abe was the initial international leader to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong bond over shared interests such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

The former president's visit to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.

This will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same location where he held talks with the former leader in 2019.

Afterward, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is scheduled to meet China's leader Xi.