Japan is preparing for a diplomatic moment that could reshape both its domestic and international future: the upcoming visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Tokyo next week. The occasion marks the first meeting between President Trump and Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, who made history just days ago by becoming the country’s first female leader. The meeting, scheduled to take place between October 27 and 29, comes at a time of heightened regional tension and as Japan undertakes a sweeping transformation of its defense posture.
On October 22, 2025, Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s new Foreign Minister, publicly welcomed Trump’s visit, emphasizing its significance for both countries. According to Kyodo News, Motegi said, “I hope it would be a good opportunity for the two leaders to build trust on a personal level, which would encourage them to discuss further strengthening of Japan-U.S. alliance and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The sentiment reflects the urgency and optimism surrounding this high-profile diplomatic engagement.
Takaichi’s ascent to the nation’s top political post on October 21, 2025, was itself a watershed moment. She took office after a period of intense internal wrangling within Japanese politics, and now faces a series of daunting diplomatic challenges almost immediately. Not only will she meet President Trump, but she’s also set to participate in two major regional summits, all within her first days in office. The stakes are high, and the world is watching to see how Japan’s first female prime minister will navigate these early tests of leadership.
Motegi, who returned to the Foreign Minister post for a second time after his initial stint from 2019 to 2021 during Trump’s first term, is no stranger to tough negotiations. He’s now tasked with both following up on the Japan-U.S. tariffs agreement and stewarding Japan through a period of significant military transformation. As reported by AP, Motegi stated, “We are firmly preparing for President Trump’s visit.” His words underscore the sense of anticipation and readiness within the Japanese government.
The backdrop to this diplomatic flurry is Japan’s ambitious five-year military buildup, set to run through 2027. The plan includes a dramatic doubling of annual defense spending to 2% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the development of a strike-back capability with long-range missiles—a marked departure from Japan’s traditional defense-only stance under its postwar pacifist constitution. According to AP, the Takaichi government is eager to move up a review for its post-2027 strategy, signaling the possibility of even larger military outlays in the future.
This shift in defense policy has not gone unnoticed. The ruling party’s new alliance with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, replacing its previous partnership with the centrist Komeito party, has raised concerns both at home and abroad. Critics fear that Japan, under Takaichi—a known security hawk—could assume more offensive military roles, further altering the nation’s defense identity. The debate is especially poignant given the region’s growing instability and the increasing sophistication of modern warfare.
Motegi addressed these concerns directly, highlighting the necessity of adapting to new forms of warfare, such as drone swarms observed in the war against Ukraine and the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. “Japan’s further strengthening of its military capability is essential to adapt to emerging new warfare,” Motegi said, as cited by Kyodo News. He emphasized that while Japan is committed to its ongoing military buildup, the government is also reviewing future plans and intends to communicate these intentions clearly to the U.S. side during Trump’s visit.
But the bilateral relationship is not without its pressures. Japan is bracing for what many expect will be tough demands from President Trump. According to AP, the U.S. president is likely to push for Japan to further increase its defense spending—potentially to NATO levels of 5% of GDP—purchase more American-made weapons, and boost financial support for the approximately 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan under the longstanding security pact. These are not small asks, and they come at a time when Japan is already stretching its defense budget to unprecedented levels.
Motegi, however, was clear about Japan’s position regarding its defense policy. “Our national defense should be based on our own independent decision,” he asserted. “What’s important is not the amount or the GDP ratio but what’s in it.” This statement signals a desire for autonomy in how Japan defines and funds its security, even as it seeks to maintain and deepen its alliance with the United States.
Looking beyond just the U.S.-Japan relationship, Motegi also expressed a desire to strengthen ties with other key regional players, including South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines. At the same time, he underscored the importance of seeking stable and constructive relations with China, a nation whose growing military and economic clout looms large over all regional security calculations. These diplomatic overtures reflect Japan’s broader strategy of balancing deterrence with dialogue in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment.
Motegi’s agenda for the coming weeks is packed. In addition to preparing for Trump’s arrival, he hopes to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio “at the earliest time possible” to discuss ways to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Given Motegi’s reputation as a tough negotiator and his extensive experience, expectations are high that these meetings could yield substantive outcomes.
The Japanese public and political observers are watching closely. The combination of Takaichi’s groundbreaking leadership, the recalibration of Japan’s military strategy, and the high-stakes diplomacy with the U.S. and regional partners make this a pivotal moment for the country. There’s a sense that the choices made in the coming days could have lasting implications not only for Japan’s security but for the broader stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
As the world’s attention turns to Tokyo, the meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi will serve as both a test and an opportunity. It’s a chance for the two leaders to set the tone for future cooperation, address mutual concerns, and perhaps, as Motegi hopes, lay the groundwork for a free and open Indo-Pacific. For Japan, it’s also a moment to assert its evolving identity on the world stage—balancing tradition with transformation, and alliance with autonomy.
Whatever unfolds, the coming week promises to be a defining chapter in the story of Japan’s leadership and its role in a changing world.
