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Japan's newly elected prime minister, Takaichi, is ready to confront her first major foreign policy challenge as she sits down with ex-President Donald Trump for high-stakes talks in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their summit is likely to focus on trade and defense issues, representing a key juncture for Tokyo's ties with its influential partner.

The Significant Leadership and International Debut

Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing LDP, made her international introduction at the latest Asean meeting.

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

Managing Domestic and Global Pressures

Takaichi deals with a potentially shaky government situation, having established a partnership that puts her a couple of votes away of a majority in the powerful lower house of parliament.

Consequently, her government will rely on opposition MPs to pass laws, adding a element of difficulty to her governance.

Common Views and Diverging Policies

Takaichi shares the former president's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the region, yet each countries have faced issues from his "America-first" economic approach.

Recently, Trump facilitated a truce deal between Thailand and Cambodian authorities during the initial leg of his Asian tour.

Defense Expansion and Spending Commitments

The leader has expressed her commitment to accelerate Japan's defense expansion, planning to increase military expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.

This move aligns with a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest military buildup for Japan since the Second World War.

Security Cooperation and Tensions

The country has also taken steps to obtain "counterstrike" capabilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the United States, and intends to use locally made longer-range missiles.

But, the two-way security treaty remains a source of strain, with Trump earlier stating that Japan should pay more for hosting US forces on its territory.

Economic Expectations and Talks

Few expect significant agreements on trade matters this week, especially after recent duty changes offered some relief to Japan's export sector.

The PM is likely to seek additional relief by promising greater purchases of US products, including vehicles, agricultural produce, and gas.

Individual Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The importance the former president attributes to personal rapport could benefit Takaichi's favor, given her close relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of his preferred world leaders.

He was the first international figure to visit Trump after his victory, and the two developed a strong relationship over shared activities such as the sport.

Upcoming Schedule and International Implications

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

It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same venue where Trump held talks with Abe in previous years.

Afterward, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec summit, where he is set to meet Chinese president Xi.