🔗 Share this article Japan's New PM Aims to Utilize Shinzo Abe's Influence in Key Discussions with Trump. The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to confront her primary foreign policy challenge as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for important talks in Tokyo. The focus of their summit is anticipated to center on trade and security matters, signaling a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful partner. The Notable Premiership and International Introduction Takaichi, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN meeting. But, her upcoming talks with the former president is seen as the true challenge that will set the tone for future bilateral relations. Managing Domestic and Global Pressures The prime minister deals with a possibly unstable political situation, having formed a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the influential lower house of the Diet. Consequently, her administration will depend on other MPs to pass legislation, introducing a layer of difficulty to her leadership. Shared Views and Diverging Interests She holds Trump's suspicion of Chinese military presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet both nations have experienced issues from Trump's "US-first" economic approach. Lately, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodia authorities on the initial leg of his Asian visit. Military Expansion and Spending Pledges Takaichi has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's defense expansion, planning to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year. This step matches a longstanding demand from Trump and represents the largest military buildup for Japan since the WWII. Defense Partnership and Strains The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles. But, the bilateral security agreement remains a point of tension, with Trump previously stating that Japan should contribute more for hosting American forces on its soil. Trade Outlook and Talks Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters this week, particularly after recent tariff changes offered a degree of relief to Japan's export sector. Takaichi is expected to seek additional relief by promising greater purchases of US products, including vehicles, soybeans, and natural gas. Personal Chemistry and the Abe Connection The value Trump places on personal chemistry could benefit the PM's favor, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite international figures. He was the first foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a strong relationship over shared interests such as golf. Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications The former president's trip to the country will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo. This will be followed by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very location where he 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 set to engage with Chinese leader Xi.