Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces her first major diplomatic test on Tuesday when she meets US President Donald Trump in Tokyo. The talks are expected to focus on trade and security, with Takaichi leading a minority government that is two seats short of a majority in the lower house of parliament.
Takaichi, who became Japan's first female leader this month, made her international debut at the Asean summit over the weekend. However, the meeting with Trump will set the tone for Tokyo's relationship with its key ally, which has imposed retaliatory tariffs on Japan despite Trump's apparent fondness for the country.
The 64-year-old prime minister shares Trump's concerns about Chinese military activity in the Asia-Pacific. She has accelerated Japan's military buildup, aiming to raise defence spending to 2% of GDP by March, two years earlier than planned. Japan is also acquiring counterstrike capabilities, including Tomahawk cruise missiles from the US.
Trump has praised Takaichi, calling her 'great' and noting her close ties to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's favourite world leaders. Abe was the first foreign leader to meet Trump after his 2016 election, and the two bonded over golf.
On trade, Trump lowered tariffs on Japanese cars to 15% from 27% in return for $550bn of Japanese investment in the US. Takaichi is expected to seek further relief with promises to buy more American pickup trucks, soybeans and gas. The talks begin with an audience with Emperor Naruhito, followed by discussions at Akasaka Palace.
