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The nation's newly elected prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is ready to face her initial significant diplomatic challenge as she engages with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.

The agenda of their summit is likely to revolve around economic and security matters, marking a pivotal moment for Tokyo's ties with its influential partner.

A Significant Premiership and Global Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the ruling LDP, had her international debut at the recent ASEAN summit.

However, her upcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the true challenge that will set the tone for coming bilateral relations.

Managing Domestic and International Pressures

The prime minister deals with a possibly unstable political situation, having formed a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.

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

Common Perspectives and Diverging Interests

She holds Trump's suspicion of Chinese defense presence in the region, yet each nations have faced issues from Trump's "US-first" economic approach.

Recently, the former president facilitated a truce agreement between Thailand and Cambodia authorities on the first leg of his Asia tour.

Military Expansion and Spending Pledges

Takaichi has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to raise military expenditure to two percent of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This step matches a long-held demand from Trump and signifies the largest military expansion for the nation 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 use locally made extended-range systems.

But, the bilateral security agreement is still a source of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that the nation should contribute more for hosting American troops on its territory.

Economic Outlook and Negotiations

Not many expect major agreements on trade issues during the visit, particularly after recent duty changes provided a degree of ease to Japan's export sector.

The PM is likely to pursue further benefits by promising greater purchases of American products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The importance the former president attributes to individual chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite world leaders.

He was the initial international figure to visit Trump after his election, and the two developed a strong relationship over mutual interests such as the sport.

Upcoming Agenda and Regional Significance

Trump's trip to Japan will begin with a meeting with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

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

Subsequently, Trump will travel to South Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is scheduled to meet China's leader Xi Jinping.