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Japan's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to face her primary foreign policy challenge as she engages with ex-President Trump for high-stakes negotiations in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their meeting is anticipated to focus on trade and defense issues, representing a pivotal juncture for Tokyo's ties with its powerful ally.

A Historic Leadership and International Introduction

The new PM, who recently assumed the role of Japan's initial woman prime minister after winning the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her international debut at the latest ASEAN summit.

But, her forthcoming meeting with the former president is considered the true challenge that will establish the direction for coming two-way relations.

Managing Internal and International Challenges

Takaichi faces a possibly shaky government situation, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a majority in the influential lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will depend on opposition lawmakers to pass laws, introducing a layer of complexity to her leadership.

Common Views and Diverging Interests

She holds Trump's wariness of China's military presence in the region, yet both nations have experienced issues from Trump's "US-first" trade approach.

Recently, Trump oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia authorities during the initial leg of his Asia tour.

Defense Build-up and Budget Commitments

The leader has expressed her determination to speed up Japan's defense build-up, aiming to raise military expenditure to 2% of GDP by the end of March.

This step aligns with a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the largest military buildup for Japan since the WWII.

Defense Partnership and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and plans to deploy locally made extended-range systems.

However, the bilateral security treaty is still a source of tension, with the former president previously stating that Japan should pay more for hosting American forces on its soil.

Economic Expectations and Negotiations

Not many anticipate major concessions on trade matters this week, particularly after recent tariff changes provided some ease to Japan's economy.

Takaichi is expected to pursue further benefits by promising greater acquisitions of US goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Link

The value Trump attributes to individual rapport could benefit the PM's favor, given her close ties with assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was among Trump's favorite international figures.

He was the first international leader to meet the then president-elect after his election, and the two built a close bond over shared interests such as golf.

Forthcoming Schedule and International Implications

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

This will be followed by discussions with the PM at the official residence, the very venue where he met with Abe in previous years.

Subsequently, Trump will travel to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese president Xi Jinping.