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Japan's recently chosen leader, Sanae Takaichi, is set to face her initial significant diplomatic examination as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their meeting is anticipated to revolve around economic and defense issues, marking a critical juncture for Japan's ties with its powerful ally.

The Notable Premiership and Global Introduction

The new PM, who just became Japan's first female leader after securing the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, made her global introduction at the latest ASEAN summit.

But, her upcoming talks with the former president is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for future bilateral relations.

Managing Domestic and International Challenges

The prime minister faces a potentially unstable political landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, introducing a layer of difficulty to her governance.

Common Views and Diverging Policies

She holds Trump's wariness of Chinese military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet each countries have experienced challenges from Trump's "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, Trump facilitated a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodian forces on the initial stage of his Asia visit.

Defense Build-up and Budget Commitments

The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to increase military expenditure to 2% of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the largest military buildup for the nation since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including Tomahawk missiles from the US, and plans to use locally made longer-range missiles.

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

Economic Expectations and Negotiations

Few anticipate major concessions on economic matters this week, particularly after recent duty adjustments offered a degree of relief to Japan's export sector.

The PM is expected to seek additional benefits by committing to greater purchases of American goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Individual Chemistry and the Shinzo Abe Link

The value the former president attributes to individual chemistry could work in Takaichi's advantage, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was among Trump's preferred international figures.

Abe was the initial foreign leader to meet the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair built a strong bond over mutual activities such as the sport.

Forthcoming Agenda and International Significance

The former president's visit to the country will start with a audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

This will be followed by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very location where Trump held talks with Abe in 2019.

Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.