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Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major diplomatic challenge as she engages with former US President Donald Trump for important negotiations in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their meeting is anticipated to revolve around trade and security issues, representing a key moment for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

A Notable Premiership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing LDP, made her international debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.

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

Managing Internal and International Pressures

Takaichi confronts a possibly shaky political situation, having formed a coalition that leaves her two seats away of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will rely on opposition MPs to approve legislation, introducing a element of difficulty to her leadership.

Common Views and Diverging Policies

Takaichi shares Trump's suspicion of China's defense activities in the region, yet both nations have faced issues from Trump's "America-first" trade policies.

Recently, the former president oversaw a ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodian authorities on the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Budget Pledges

The leader has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest military expansion for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Cooperation and Tensions

Japan has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise weapons from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security treaty remains a point of tension, with Trump previously stating that Japan should contribute more for stationing American forces on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major agreements on trade matters during the visit, particularly after recent duty adjustments provided some relief to the country's export sector.

Takaichi is likely to pursue additional relief by committing to increased purchases of US goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Abe Connection

The importance the former president attributes to individual rapport could benefit the PM's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among his favorite world leaders.

He was the first foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two developed a close bond over shared activities such as golf.

Upcoming Schedule and International Implications

The former president's trip to the country will start with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the royal residence in Tokyo.

It will be followed by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very venue where he held talks with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, Trump will proceed to South Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to engage with China's leader Xi Jinping.