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Japan's recently chosen prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to confront her primary foreign policy examination as she meets former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.

The focus of their meeting is likely to center on economic and security matters, marking a pivotal moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

A Historic Premiership and Global Introduction

The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the leadership of the governing LDP, had her international introduction at the recent ASEAN meeting.

But, her upcoming meeting with the former president is considered the real challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral relations.

Managing Internal and Global Challenges

The prime minister deals with a potentially shaky government situation, having established a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the influential chamber of parliament.

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

Shared Perspectives and Differing Policies

Takaichi shares the former president's suspicion of Chinese military presence in the region, but both nations have faced challenges from his "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, the former president facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thai and Cambodia forces on the initial leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Expansion and Spending Commitments

The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise defense spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a long-held request from Trump and represents the largest military buildup for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Strains

Japan has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and plans to use locally made extended-range systems.

However, the two-way defense agreement is still a source of tension, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should pay more for stationing American forces on its soil.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Few anticipate major concessions on economic issues this week, especially after recent duty adjustments offered a degree of relief to Japan's export sector.

Takaichi is expected to seek further relief by promising increased acquisitions of American goods, including vehicles, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance the former president attributes to personal rapport could benefit the PM's advantage, given her close relationship with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of his preferred international figures.

Abe was the first foreign figure to visit Trump after his election, and the two built a close relationship over mutual activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

The former president's visit to Japan will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

This will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very location where he met with Abe in 2019.

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