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Japan's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is ready to undertake her initial significant foreign policy challenge as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their summit is anticipated to center on economic and defense issues, signaling a pivotal juncture for Tokyo's ties with its influential ally.

A Significant Leadership and Global Debut

The new PM, who just became Japan's first female prime minister after securing the top position of the governing LDP, made her international debut at the recent Asean meeting.

But, her upcoming meeting with the former president is regarded as the true challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.

Navigating Internal and International Challenges

The prime minister faces a potentially unstable government landscape, having formed a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.

This means, her administration will depend on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests

Takaichi shares Trump's wariness of China's defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, but each countries have experienced challenges from his "US-first" trade approach.

Lately, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Budget Commitments

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

This move aligns with a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the largest military expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Defense Cooperation and Strains

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise missiles from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.

But, the two-way security treaty is still a source of tension, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should contribute more for hosting US troops on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Talks

Not many anticipate significant agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after latest tariff changes provided a degree of ease to Japan's export sector.

The PM is expected to pursue further benefits by committing to increased acquisitions of American goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Personal Chemistry and the Abe Connection

The importance Trump attributes to individual chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her strong ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his favorite world leaders.

Abe was the first foreign figure to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two built a close relationship over mutual activities such as the sport.

Upcoming Schedule and International Implications

The former president's visit to Japan will start with a audience with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.

It will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the official residence, the same venue where Trump met with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to meet China's president Xi.