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Japan's recently chosen prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to confront her primary diplomatic challenge as she sits down with ex-President Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.

Attention of their encounter is likely to revolve around economic and defense topics, marking a key moment for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.

A Notable Leadership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who recently became Japan's first female leader after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, made her international introduction at the recent Asean summit.

However, her upcoming meeting with the former president is regarded as the true challenge that will establish the direction for coming two-way cooperation.

Handling Domestic and Global Challenges

The prime minister faces a potentially unstable political situation, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes short of a majority in the influential lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her administration will depend on opposition MPs to approve legislation, adding a element of complexity to her governance.

Common Perspectives and Differing Policies

She shares the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, but each nations have faced challenges from his "US-first" trade approach.

Lately, the former president oversaw a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodia forces on the initial stage of his Asian visit.

Defense Expansion and Budget Pledges

The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to increase defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

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

Security Cooperation and Strains

The country has also moved to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and plans to use locally made extended-range missiles.

However, the bilateral security agreement is still a point of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that the nation should contribute more for hosting US forces on its territory.

Economic Expectations and Negotiations

Few anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, particularly after latest duty changes offered a degree of relief to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to seek further relief by promising greater acquisitions of US products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump attributes to individual rapport could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders.

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

Upcoming Agenda and International Implications

Trump's trip to the country will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.

It will be succeeded by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very location where Trump met with Abe in previous years.

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