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Japan's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is preparing to face her initial significant foreign policy test as she engages with ex-President Donald Trump for crucial negotiations in Tokyo.

Attention of their encounter is likely to focus on trade and security issues, signaling a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its powerful ally.

The Historic Leadership and Global Introduction

Takaichi, who recently became Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling LDP, made her global introduction at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her upcoming meeting with Trump is regarded as the true challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral relations.

Managing Internal and Global Pressures

Takaichi deals with a potentially unstable political landscape, having formed a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a majority in the influential lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to pass legislation, introducing a layer of complexity to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Differing Interests

Takaichi shares Trump's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the region, but each countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" economic policies.

Lately, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces during the first leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Build-up and Budget Commitments

Takaichi has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military expansion, planning to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This move matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

The country has also moved to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.

However, the two-way defense treaty remains a point of strain, with Trump previously suggesting that Japan should contribute more for stationing American troops on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Talks

Not many expect significant agreements on economic matters this week, particularly after recent duty adjustments offered some ease to Japan's export sector.

The PM is likely to seek additional relief by promising greater acquisitions of US products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Abe Connection

The value the former president places on personal chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her strong ties with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.

Abe was the first foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong relationship over shared interests such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and International Significance

The former president's trip to the country will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in the capital.

It will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very venue where Trump met with the former leader in previous years.

Afterward, the former president will travel to South Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping.