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The nation's newly elected leader, Sanae Takaichi, is set to undertake her initial significant diplomatic challenge as she engages with former US President Trump for high-stakes talks in the Japanese capital.

Attention of their summit is anticipated to revolve around trade and defense issues, signaling a key moment for Tokyo's ties with its influential partner.

The Historic Premiership and International Debut

The new PM, who just became Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the top position of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, had her global debut at the recent ASEAN summit.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the real challenge that will set the tone for future two-way relations.

Handling Internal and Global Pressures

Takaichi deals with a potentially unstable political landscape, having established a partnership that leaves her two seats away of a majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her administration will rely on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, adding a element of complexity to her governance.

Common Perspectives and Diverging Interests

She shares Trump's suspicion of China's defense activities in the region, but each nations have faced challenges from Trump's "US-first" trade policies.

Lately, Trump oversaw a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the initial stage of his Asian tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Commitments

The leader has stated her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to increase military spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move matches a longstanding request from Trump and represents the largest military buildup for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" abilities, including cruise weapons from the United States, and plans to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.

But, the bilateral security treaty is still a source of strain, with Trump earlier stating that the nation should contribute more for stationing US forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Talks

Few anticipate major agreements on economic issues this week, particularly after recent duty adjustments offered some ease to Japan's economy.

Takaichi is expected to pursue additional relief by promising increased acquisitions of American products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The value the former president attributes to personal rapport could benefit Takaichi's advantage, given her strong ties with the late former prime minister Abe, who was among his preferred international figures.

He was the initial foreign leader to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the pair developed a close relationship over mutual interests such as golf.

Upcoming Agenda and International Significance

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

This will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the state guest house, the very location where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.

Subsequently, the former president will proceed to South Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is set to meet Chinese president Xi.