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Japan's newly elected prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to face her first major diplomatic challenge as she engages with former US President Trump for crucial discussions in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their summit is likely to revolve around economic and defense topics, marking a key juncture for Japan's relationship with its powerful partner.

The Notable Leadership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who recently assumed the role of Japan's first female leader after securing the top position of the governing LDP, had her global introduction at the recent ASEAN summit.

But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is regarded as the true test that will establish the direction for future bilateral cooperation.

Navigating Internal and Global Challenges

Takaichi confronts a possibly unstable government situation, having established a partnership that puts her two seats away of a controlling number in the influential lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, introducing a element of difficulty to her governance.

Shared Views and Differing Interests

She holds the former president's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the Asia-Pacific, but both countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "America-first" economic policies.

Lately, Trump facilitated a truce agreement between Thai and Cambodia forces on the first stage of his Asian tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Commitments

The leader has stated her commitment to speed up Japan's military build-up, planning to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This move matches a longstanding demand from Trump and represents the largest defense buildup for the nation since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Strains

The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and intends to deploy locally made longer-range missiles.

However, the bilateral security treaty is still a source of tension, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should pay more for stationing American forces on its soil.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many expect significant agreements on economic issues this week, especially after recent duty changes provided some ease to the country's economy.

Takaichi is expected to seek further relief by promising greater purchases of American goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Personal Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance the former president attributes to personal chemistry could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her strong relationship with the late former prime minister Abe, who was among his favorite international figures.

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

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

The former president's trip to the country will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

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

Afterward, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with China's leader Xi.