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Japan's recently chosen prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to undertake her first major diplomatic test as she sits down with former US President Trump for important discussions in Tokyo.

The agenda of their encounter is anticipated to center on trade and defense topics, signaling a key moment for Japan's ties with its powerful partner.

The Significant Premiership and Global Introduction

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's first female prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global debut at the recent Asean meeting.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true test that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.

Managing Internal and Global Challenges

The prime minister deals with a possibly shaky government landscape, having established a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the influential lower house of parliament.

This means, her government will depend on opposition MPs to pass laws, adding a element of complexity to her leadership.

Shared Perspectives and Diverging Interests

She holds the former president's wariness of Chinese defense presence in the Asia-Pacific, yet both nations have faced issues from Trump's "America-first" trade policies.

Recently, the former president facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the first stage of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Commitments

Takaichi has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's military build-up, aiming to raise military expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This step matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the largest military buildup for the nation since the WWII.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also moved to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to deploy locally made longer-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security agreement remains a source of strain, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its soil.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Not many anticipate major agreements on economic issues during the visit, particularly after latest tariff adjustments provided a degree of ease to Japan's export sector.

The PM is expected to seek further benefits by promising greater purchases of American products, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.

Personal Rapport and the Abe Connection

The importance the former president places on personal rapport could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Abe, who was among his favorite world leaders.

He was the initial foreign figure to meet Trump after his election, and the two built a strong relationship over mutual interests such as the sport.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Implications

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

It will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the official residence, the same location where he held talks with Abe in 2019.

Afterward, the former president will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese president Xi.