Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to visit the U.S. this week, marking the first state visit by a Japanese leader in nearly a decade. Kishida and President Joe Biden will hold a summit to upgrade their defense alliance, as well as hold a historic summit with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to address mounting maritime tensions with China. Meetings with the U.S. and Philippine leaders aim to showcase cooperation in the face of China’s growing assertiveness.
Kishida’s primary goal during his visit is to strengthen the alliance between Japan and the U.S. as China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region continues to rise. He will emphasize Japan’s contribution to the American economy and their commitment to ensuring stable relations regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election later this year. With defense capabilities being a key focus, Kishida is pushing for expanded arms equipment and technology cooperation with the U.S. and like-minded partners.
As a state guest, Kishida will partake in official events at the White House, including a formal state dinner, highlighting the significance of his visit. The last Japanese leader to make a state visit was Shinzo Abe in 2015, highlighting the importance of Japan’s alliance with the U.S. in the region. The defense focus of the summit is driven by increasing concerns about threats from China, North Korea, and Russia, with a particular emphasis on the situation in East Asia amidst the conflict in Ukraine.
The main issues expected to be addressed during the summit include modernizing military command structures, defense industry cooperation, potential participation in a U.S.-U.K.-Australia security partnership, and Japan’s contribution to NASA’s Artemis moon program. Japan’s defense aim is to demonstrate its capability to enhance security cooperation with the U.S., with a focus on doubling defense spending and boosting deterrence against China. This commitment is seen in Japan’s recent acquisitions of long-range cruise missiles and relaxed export guidelines for weapons.
In addition to the summit with the U.S., Kishida will also participate in a historic trilateral summit with President Biden and Philippine President Marcos Jr. to address escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The trilateral meeting aims to showcase unity against aggressive Chinese actions in the region, with Japan having sold coastal radars to the Philippines and negotiating a defense agreement for joint military exercises. Cooperation among these three countries is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law.
Aside from the formal summits, Kishida will also visit North Carolina to highlight Japan’s economic contributions in the U.S. and address concerns about the upcoming U.S. elections. The visit will include meetings with business leaders, visits to key facilities like Toyota’s electric vehicle battery factory, and engaging with students at North Carolina State University. Through his visit, Kishida aims to reinforce the strong U.S.-Japan alliance and convey a message of cooperation, security, and economic partnership between the two countries.
