Marking a major historical milestone, Sanae Takaichi has just been elected as Japan's first female prime minister. All eyes are on whether she will continue with the pragmatic approach of her predecessor or instead emphasize the ideological positions that could potentially cause friction with neighboring countries. What should Japan, the United States, and Korea do to preserve the momentum of recent positive developments and ensure shared security and economic interests have priority?

South Korea has emerged as a critical defense partner for Europe and the United States over the past five years, its dramatic rise epitomized by massive weapons procurement from European countries like Poland that pushed aside longtime European defense champions, as well as rare bipartisan consensus in the United States for possible Jones Act amendments to facilitate South Korean investments and allow repair of U.S. Navy vessels in South Korea. Can these defense partnerships sustain momentum, or will they prove a temporary marriage of convenience destined to fade as Europe pursues "strategic autonomy" with preferences for intra-EU procurement and the United States implements "Buy American" provisions? What steps should Korea and its allies take to further deepen the partnership?