Japan's New Prime Minister Aims to Benefit from Abe's Legacy in Key Negotiations with Donald Trump.

Japan's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is set to undertake her primary diplomatic examination as she meets former US President Trump for crucial talks in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their meeting is expected to center on economic and security topics, marking a pivotal juncture for Japan's relationship with its influential ally.

A Significant Premiership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who recently became Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her international introduction at the latest Asean meeting.

However, her upcoming meeting with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will set the tone for future bilateral relations.

Handling Internal and Global Challenges

The prime minister confronts a potentially unstable government situation, having established a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will rely on other lawmakers to approve legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.

Common Views and Diverging Policies

She holds the former president's wariness of China's defense activities in the Asia-Pacific, but both countries have faced issues from his "US-first" economic approach.

Lately, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia forces during the first leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments

The leader has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's military build-up, planning to raise military spending to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This step matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to acquire "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed extended-range systems.

But, the two-way security agreement remains a source of strain, with Trump earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for hosting American troops on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major concessions on trade matters this week, particularly after latest tariff adjustments offered a degree of ease to Japan's economy.

The PM is expected to seek additional benefits by committing to increased acquisitions of US goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Abe Connection

The importance Trump places on personal chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders.

He was the first international leader to meet Trump after his victory, and the pair developed a close relationship over shared activities such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

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

This will be succeeded by talks with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where Trump met with the former leader in previous years.

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