Japan's recently chosen prime minister, Takaichi, is set to face her first major diplomatic examination as she meets former US President Trump for high-stakes talks in Tokyo.
Attention of their encounter is likely to center on economic and defense topics, marking a key moment for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.
The new PM, who recently became Japan's initial woman leader after winning the top position of the ruling LDP, made her international introduction at the recent Asean meeting.
However, her upcoming talks with the former president is considered the true challenge that will establish the direction for future two-way relations.
Takaichi faces a potentially unstable government landscape, having established a coalition that leaves her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the powerful lower house of parliament.
Consequently, her government will depend on opposition MPs to approve legislation, adding a layer of complexity to her leadership.
Takaichi shares the former president's wariness of China's military activities in the Asia-Pacific, yet both nations have faced issues from his "America-first" trade policies.
Lately, Trump oversaw a ceasefire deal between Thailand and Cambodia forces during the initial stage of his Asian tour.
Takaichi has stated her determination to accelerate Japan's defense build-up, planning to raise defense expenditure to two percent of GDP by the end of March.
This move matches a longstanding request from the former US leader and represents the largest military buildup for Japan since the WWII.
The country has also taken steps to acquire "retaliatory" abilities, including Tomahawk weapons from the US, and intends to deploy domestically developed longer-range systems.
But, the bilateral defense treaty remains a point of tension, with the former president previously suggesting that Japan should contribute more for stationing American forces on its territory.
Not many anticipate significant concessions on economic issues during the visit, particularly after latest duty changes offered some relief to Japan's economy.
The PM is expected to pursue additional relief by promising increased acquisitions of American goods, including pickup trucks, agricultural produce, and gas.
The value Trump places on personal chemistry could work in the PM's advantage, given her close ties with the late ex-leader Shinzo Abe, who was one of Trump's preferred world leaders.
Abe was the first international figure to visit the then president-elect after his election, and the pair built a close relationship over mutual interests such as the sport.
The former president's visit to Japan will begin with a meeting with the Emperor at the royal residence in Tokyo.
It will be succeeded by discussions with the PM at the state guest house, the same venue where he met with Abe in previous years.
Subsequently, the former president will travel to South Korea for the APEC summit, where he is set to engage with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
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