The nation's newly elected leader, Takaichi, is ready to undertake her primary foreign policy examination as she engages with ex-President Trump for crucial negotiations in Tokyo.
The agenda of their summit is expected to center on economic and security matters, signaling a critical juncture for Tokyo's ties with its influential ally.
Takaichi, who just became Japan's initial woman leader after securing the top position of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her international debut at the latest ASEAN summit.
But, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is seen as the real challenge that will establish the direction for coming bilateral relations.
The prime minister deals with a potentially shaky government landscape, having formed a partnership that leaves her a couple of votes short of a majority in the influential chamber of parliament.
This means, her government will depend on opposition MPs to pass legislation, adding a element of difficulty to her leadership.
She shares the former president's suspicion of Chinese defense activities in the region, but each nations have faced issues from his "America-first" economic approach.
Recently, Trump facilitated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia forces on the first stage of his Asia tour.
Takaichi has expressed her determination to accelerate Japan's military build-up, aiming to raise defense spending to two percent of gross domestic product by the close of the fiscal year.
This move matches a long-held request from the former US leader and signifies the biggest defense expansion for the nation since the WWII.
The country has also moved to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range missiles.
But, the bilateral security treaty is still a point of strain, with the former president previously stating that the nation should pay more for hosting American troops on its territory.
Few anticipate major concessions on trade issues this week, especially after recent tariff adjustments offered some relief to the country's export sector.
Takaichi is likely to seek additional relief by promising greater purchases of American goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and natural gas.
The value the former president places on personal rapport could work in Takaichi's favor, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite international figures.
He was the first foreign figure to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the pair developed a strong relationship over shared activities such as golf.
Trump's visit to Japan will begin with a audience with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.
This will be succeeded by talks with Takaichi at the official residence, the very venue where he held talks with the former leader in previous years.
Afterward, Trump will proceed to the Republic of Korea for the Apec meeting, where he is set to meet China's president Xi.
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