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Japan's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to confront her initial significant foreign policy examination as she sits down with ex-President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

The focus of their encounter is anticipated to focus on economic and defense topics, signaling a critical juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful partner.

The Historic Leadership and International Debut

The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the top position of the governing LDP, had her international debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.

But, her forthcoming talks with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.

Managing Internal and Global Pressures

Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable political landscape, having established a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential lower house of parliament.

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

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests

Takaichi holds Trump's wariness of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "US-first" trade policies.

Lately, the former president facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodian authorities on the first leg of his Asia visit.

Defense Expansion and Budget Commitments

Takaichi has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase military expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This move matches a long-held request from the former US leader and represents the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Partnership and Tensions

Japan has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.

However, the two-way security agreement is still a point of strain, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should pay more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Trade Outlook and Talks

Not many expect major agreements on economic matters during the visit, particularly after latest tariff adjustments provided a degree of relief to Japan's economy.

Takaichi is likely to seek further benefits by committing to increased acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Abe Link

The importance the former president attributes to individual chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.

He was the first foreign leader to visit Trump after his victory, and the pair developed a strong bond over shared activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

The former president's trip to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be followed by talks with the PM at the official residence, the same 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 summit, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese president Xi Jinping.