Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan. AFP/Yonhap News.

U.S. President Donald Trump and new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi are coordinating a phone call for around the 25th, Kyodo News reported on the 24th.

The leaders of both countries, who will hold their first summit meeting in Japan on the 28th of this month, plan to reaffirm the importance of strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and realizing a "free and open Indo-Pacific" during this call.

Kyodo News suggested that "Prime Minister Takaichi appears to be signaling her readiness to do her utmost to maintain deterrence in the region through dialogue with the U.S. president immediately after the launch of her administration," and reported that the two leaders are likely to discuss the strengthening hegemonic behavior of China and the trends of North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches during their series of meetings.

However, compared to former Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida and Shigeru Ishiba, who spoke with then-U.S. President Joe Biden the day after taking office, the first call between Prime Minister Takaichi and President Trump is somewhat delayed. Prime Minister Takaichi took office on the 21st.

The White House announced on the 23rd (local time) that President Trump would visit Japan from the 27th to the 29th and hold a summit with Prime Minister Takaichi on the 28th.

President Trump is known to meet with Emperor Naruhito in Japan and also with families of Japanese abductees. It is also reported that inspection of the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and meetings with business officials are being considered.

Kyodo News reported that President Trump is also coordinating a meeting with Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Former Prime Minister Abe maintained a close relationship with President Trump, and Mrs. Abe is also friendly with the Trump couple. President Trump invited Mrs. Abe to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last December.

Kyodo News also reported that Prime Minister Takaichi is considering a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the 24th.

Prime Minister Takaichi plans to convey her intention to continue support for Ukraine to President Zelenskyy.

Based on precedent, Prime Minister Takaichi is likely to speak with President Lee Jae-myung after her call with President Trump.

In her inauguration press conference, Prime Minister Takaichi expressed her desire to develop Japan-South Korea relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, stating her intention to continue a cooperative approach.

Meanwhile, China sent a congratulatory message in the name of Premier Li Qiang on the 21st, the day Prime Minister Takaichi took office, Kyodo News reported, citing diplomatic sources.

This move by China contrasts with the congratulatory messages sent in the name of President Xi Jinping on the day of their inauguration for former Prime Ministers Yoshihide Suga, Kishida, and Ishiba since 2020.

It is analyzed that Prime Minister Takaichi's hardline stance towards China and her sustained pro-Taiwan remarks and actions have had an influence.

The Chinese government has not officially announced the dispatch of Premier Li's congratulatory message.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated at a regular press briefing the previous day regarding the dispatch of congratulatory messages, "China has already made appropriate arrangements in accordance with diplomatic practice."

Yonhap News