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The nation's recently chosen leader, Takaichi, is set to face her primary foreign policy challenge as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for crucial talks in the Japanese capital.

The focus of their encounter is expected to center on trade and security issues, marking a critical moment for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.

A Significant Leadership and Global Introduction

The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, had her global debut at the recent Asean summit.

However, her upcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the true challenge that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.

Managing Domestic and International Pressures

Takaichi deals with a possibly unstable political situation, having established a partnership that puts her two seats away of a majority in the influential chamber of parliament.

Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to approve laws, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Common Perspectives and Differing Interests

She holds the former president's wariness of China's defense presence in the region, but both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" trade policies.

Lately, the former president facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian authorities on the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Build-up and Spending Commitments

Takaichi has stated her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase defense spending to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a long-held demand from the former US leader and represents the largest defense expansion for Japan since the WWII.

Security Partnership and Strains

Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the United States, and plans to use domestically developed extended-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security agreement is still a point of strain, with the former president earlier suggesting that Japan should contribute more for stationing US forces on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Few anticipate major agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after recent duty adjustments provided some ease to the country's economy.

Takaichi is likely to seek further relief by committing to increased purchases of US goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Abe Connection

The importance Trump attributes to individual chemistry could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her strong relationship with the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.

He was the initial international leader to visit Trump after his victory, and the two built a close bond over shared activities such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and International Implications

The former president's trip to Japan will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

This will be followed by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where Trump held talks with Abe in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.