Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is visiting Washington and is set to address U.S. lawmakers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong partnership between Japan and the U.S. amid tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. Kishida’s visit comes as the White House recently hosted leaders from the Quad alliance, comprised of the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India, to counter China’s military strength in the region. Kishida is expected to discuss the future of the relationship between Japan and the U.S., particularly with skeptical Republicans in Congress who have advocated for a more limited U.S. role in global affairs following the “America First” policy of former President Donald Trump.
The Republican-controlled House has delayed passing a $95 billion package that includes wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel, as well as aid for allies in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan, and humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine. While the package does not provide direct funding for Japan, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has highlighted the need to confront the common threats posed by China, Russia, and Iran. Japan has actively supported Ukraine’s defense against Russia, provided humanitarian aid to Gaza, and serves as a crucial partner for the U.S. in a region where China’s influence is expanding and North Korea’s nuclear program is advancing.
Kishida’s visit aims to deepen diplomatic and security ties between Japan and the U.S., emphasizing the longstanding cooperation between the two countries. He will also participate in a U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit to enhance regional cooperation in response to China’s aggressive actions in the region. In Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed the passage of the foreign security package but is now working to advance it despite divisions within the Republican Party over supporting Ukraine. Johnson is also facing challenges within his party which may complicate efforts to move the legislation forward.
Kishida’s visit to Washington comes at a challenging time as he grapples with political issues in Japan, including a decline in public support following a political funds corruption scandal within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Additionally, Japan’s economy has slipped to the world’s fourth-largest, behind Germany. Kishida’s address to Congress will be the first by a Japanese prime minister since 2015, and he will be the sixth foreign leader to speak before Congress during President Joe Biden’s term. The visit underscores the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Japan in addressing shared security challenges in the region.
