TOKYO: As President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on October 27, newly installed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was preparing for a crucial first test of diplomacy,  winning over the U.S. leader with a mix of personal charm, trade pragmatism, and perhaps, a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks.

Takaichi's government has floated the idea of buying the American-made pickups, a symbolic gesture to please Trump, though one complicated by Japan's famously narrow streets. The plan highlights her strategy of cultivating a warm personal rapport to defuse trade tensions early in her term.

Trump, en route to Asia, was already intrigued. "She has good taste," he told reporters aboard Air Force One. "That's a hot truck."

Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, took office just a week ago and spoke with Trump by phone over the weekend, describing him afterward as "cheerful and fun." She reminded him that she was a protégé of the late Shinzo Abe, a Trump favorite during his first term, and praised the president for his role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire. "He well recognizes me and said he remembers me as a politician whom Prime Minister Abe really cared about," she said.

Trump, who spent the weekend at a regional summit in Malaysia, told reporters before landing in Tokyo that he planned to highlight the "great friendship" between the U.S. and Japan.

Behind the gestures lies a tougher agenda. Japan is seeking to reset trade relations after Trump imposed tariffs earlier this year and urged allies to buy more American goods. Tokyo's previous government pledged US$550 billion in U.S. investments, prompting Trump to scale back a threatened 25 percent tariff to 15 percent. Japan now wants those investments to favor its own companies.

Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa said his ministry is compiling projects in chips and energy to meet the target. "I'm hearing that there are a number of Japanese companies that are showing interest," he said.

For Trump, Ford trucks rumbling through Tokyo's cityscape would symbolize progress in a market long dominated by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Reports say Japan may import F-150s for official use, including road inspections, despite concerns they might clog narrow streets. Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda may also announce plans to import American-made Toyotas during a dinner with Trump this week.

Trump praised Takaichi as "a great friend of Mr. Abe, who was a great man," signaling his openness to cooperation. Still, analysts say her reliance on Abe's legacy carries risks.

"Because it's Takaichi's first diplomatic engagement, she wants to start with a bang," said Rintaro Nishimura of The Asia Group. "But leaning too heavily on the Abe line might not help her define her own leadership."

Trump will meet Emperor Naruhito and Takaichi on October 28, followed by a dinner with Japanese business leaders and a speech aboard the U.S.S. George Washington. He then heads to South Korea for talks with Xi Jinping and, potentially, Kim Jong Un. "If he wants to meet, I'll be in South Korea," Trump said.