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Japan's freshly appointed leader, Takaichi, is preparing to face her first major foreign policy test as she meets former US President Donald Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.

The focus of their summit is likely to revolve around trade and security topics, signaling a key juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its powerful ally.

The Significant Leadership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the recent ASEAN meeting.

However, her forthcoming talks with the former president is regarded as the true test that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.

Managing Domestic and International Challenges

Takaichi deals with a possibly shaky government situation, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, adding a element of complexity to her leadership.

Common Views and Diverging Interests

She shares Trump's wariness of China's military activities in the region, yet both countries have faced challenges from his "America-first" economic policies.

Lately, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodia forces on the initial leg of his Asian visit.

Defense Expansion and Spending Commitments

Takaichi has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's military build-up, planning to increase military spending to two percent of GDP by the end of March.

This move aligns with a longstanding demand from the former US leader and represents the biggest military buildup for Japan since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Strains

Japan has also moved to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and plans to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.

However, the two-way defense agreement remains a point of strain, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should contribute more for hosting American forces on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many expect major concessions on trade matters during the visit, particularly after recent tariff changes offered a degree of relief to Japan's economy.

The PM is likely to seek further relief by promising increased purchases of US goods, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The value the former president places on individual chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her strong relationship with assassinated ex-leader Abe, who was among Trump's preferred world leaders.

Abe was the initial foreign figure to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a strong bond over shared activities such as the sport.

Upcoming Schedule and International Implications

Trump's visit to the country will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in the capital.

It will be followed by talks with the PM at the state guest house, the very venue where Trump met with the former leader in 2019.

Afterward, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to meet China's president Xi.