Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, D.C., where he highlighted the upgraded security alliance between Japan and the U.S. This comes ahead of a trilateral leaders’ summit with the U.S. and the Philippines. Kishida’s address to Congress marks only the second time a Japanese prime minister has formally spoken to lawmakers, the first being Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015. Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the meeting, emphasizing the importance of Japan as a close ally critical to national and economic security.
Congressional leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, invited Kishida to speak as part of an effort to deepen diplomatic and security relationships between the two countries for years to come. The visit is significant, particularly as Republicans in the House have previously shown resistance to providing foreign aid to countries like Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Kishida’s address aimed to strengthen the critical alliance between the United States and Japan, emphasizing the economic and strategic interests shared by both nations.
Following his address to Congress, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted a luncheon for Kishida at the State Department. Later in the afternoon, Kishida participated in the inaugural U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral summit at the White House, meeting with President Joe Biden and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines. During this meeting, plans were announced to improve the U.S. military command structure in Japan, where approximately 54,000 U.S. personnel are stationed. Additionally, the two countries agreed to form a military-industrial council to explore joint production of weapons.
The White House hosted a state dinner for Prime Minister Kishida, which was attended by notable guests such as former President Bill Clinton, first lady Hillary Clinton, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The dinner celebrated the strong relationship between the United States and Japan and highlighted the importance of continued cooperation in various sectors. These meetings and events underscored the shared commitment to security, economic collaboration, and global leadership between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.
Overall, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to Washington, D.C., and his address to Congress served as an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding alliance between Japan and the United States. The trilateral summit with the Philippines further emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and security in the Asia-Pacific region. By deepening diplomatic and security relationships, both countries aim to enhance strategic cooperation and address shared challenges. The visit also highlighted the economic ties between Japan and the United States, paving the way for continued collaboration and partnership in various sectors.
