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Japan's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is set to face her initial significant foreign policy examination as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for important discussions in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their encounter is expected to revolve around trade and security topics, marking a key moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

The Historic Leadership and International Debut

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her international debut at the latest Asean summit.

However, her forthcoming talks with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will set the tone for future two-way relations.

Managing Domestic and Global Challenges

Takaichi deals with a potentially unstable political situation, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

This means, her government will depend on other lawmakers to approve legislation, introducing a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Shared Views and Differing Interests

Takaichi holds the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet both nations have faced challenges from Trump's "America-first" trade approach.

Lately, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodia forces on the initial leg of his Asia tour.

Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments

Takaichi has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to raise defense expenditure to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and signifies the largest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Strains

Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to use domestically developed extended-range systems.

But, the bilateral defense agreement is still a source of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that Japan should pay more for stationing US troops on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, especially after latest tariff changes provided some relief to the country's economy.

The PM is likely to seek further relief by committing to increased purchases of US products, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value Trump attributes to personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was one of his favorite world leaders.

He was the first international leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a close bond over mutual activities such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

Trump's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

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

Afterward, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to meet China's leader Xi.