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The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to undertake her first major foreign policy examination as she sits down with former US President Donald Trump for high-stakes negotiations in Tokyo.

Attention of their encounter is anticipated to revolve around trade and defense matters, signaling a critical juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its influential partner.

A Significant Leadership and International Debut

The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after securing the leadership of the governing LDP, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN summit.

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

Navigating Internal and International Pressures

The prime minister confronts a possibly unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential chamber of parliament.

Consequently, her administration will rely on other MPs to approve laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.

Common Perspectives and Differing Interests

She shares the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the region, yet both nations have faced issues from his "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, the former president oversaw a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first leg of his Asia tour.

Defense Expansion and Budget Pledges

The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to increase military expenditure to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This step aligns with a long-held demand from the former US leader and signifies the biggest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Strains

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

But, the bilateral security agreement is still a source of strain, with the former president earlier stating that the nation should pay more for hosting American forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Negotiations

Not many anticipate significant concessions on trade matters this week, especially after recent duty adjustments provided some ease to Japan's economy.

Takaichi is expected to pursue further relief by committing to greater purchases of US goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance Trump places on personal rapport could work in the PM's favor, given her close ties with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was among his favorite international figures.

Abe was the first international leader to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair built a close bond over shared interests such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

Trump's visit to Japan will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

It will be succeeded by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue where he held talks with the former leader in 2019.

Afterward, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.