Post by : Badri Ariffin

U.S. President Donald Trump touched down in Tokyo on Monday evening, beginning a three-day visit marked by intense security and high diplomatic expectations. His first stop — a meeting with Emperor Naruhito — set the stage for Tuesday’s much-anticipated summit with Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi.

The visit comes at a crucial moment. Trump, fresh from a regional summit in Malaysia, is pursuing deeper trade and defense cooperation across Asia ahead of his meeting later this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. But for Tokyo, this meeting is about more than photo ops — it’s Takaichi’s debut on the world stage, and her first major test as leader.

Takaichi, who took office less than a week ago, is following in the footsteps of her late mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Like Abe, she aims to maintain Japan’s close alliance with Washington while seeking fairer trade terms. “Strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance is my government’s top priority,” she told reporters after a brief phone call with Trump on Saturday.

Security around the capital is unusually tight, with around 18,000 police officers deployed ahead of Trump’s arrival — a reflection of growing concerns after recent global attacks on political figures.

Trade and Defense Top the Agenda

At the center of Tuesday’s talks will be Japan’s defense spending and trade balance with the U.S. Tokyo plans to accelerate its military budget, targeting 2% of GDP by the end of this fiscal year — two years ahead of schedule. The move aims to reassure Washington that Japan is committed to sharing more of the regional security burden.

Trump, who has pushed NATO allies to raise spending to 3.5% of GDP, is expected to encourage Japan to go even further. His administration has been calling for what it describes as a “global defense standard” of 5%, a proposal that could redefine Tokyo’s defense strategy.

Japan’s new defense minister, Shijiro Koizumi, will meet U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday to follow up on these discussions. “Japan will strengthen its defense capabilities based on its own judgment,” Koizumi said over the weekend.

Trade will be the other major flashpoint. The current U.S.–Japan deal, valued at around $550 billion, eased tariffs in exchange for major Japanese investments — an arrangement Takaichi has hinted could be revisited. Trump, however, struck a conciliatory tone, saying, “She might, she might. We have a great relationship with Japan, and we’re going to have a fantastic relationship with her.”

A Diplomatic Debut with Abe’s Shadow in the Background

Takaichi’s charm offensive is expected to mirror Abe’s successful approach to Trump: warm gestures and symbolic gifts. Reports suggest she plans to present the U.S. leader with a golden golf ball, echoing Abe’s golden golf club gift during their first meeting years ago.

Behind the smiles, though, lies a complex political landscape. Takaichi leads a fragile coalition between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, a partnership two seats short of a lower house majority. Balancing domestic politics while navigating Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy will be no small feat.

Trump, for his part, has expressed admiration for Takaichi’s ties to Abe, calling it a “good sign.” He said, “She’s a great friend of Mr. Abe, who was a fantastic person. He liked her a lot, and she liked him a lot.”

As Trump’s motorcade rolls through Tokyo and high-level meetings unfold, both sides are aware that this encounter could define the next chapter of the U.S.–Japan alliance. For Takaichi, it’s an early opportunity to prove that Japan’s new leadership can hold its own — even under the sharp gaze of one of the world’s most demanding allies.

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