Biden and Kishida agree to strengthen defense cooperation

President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to strengthen defense and economic cooperation by discussing the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region. The White House press office reported this Thursday after the two leaders met in Hiroshima on the eve of the Group of Seven (G7) summit.

“President Joe Biden met today with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to advance cooperation on a range of security, economic and regional issues. He emphasized that the U.S.-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence using the United States capability list. The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen defense cooperation, with a focus on Japan’s revised strategy documents and increased investment in defense,” the statement said.

The U.S. and Japanese leaders reaffirmed their determination to continue supporting Ukraine and pledged to work closely together to address security threats in the region. The statement cited the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile program and China’s actions that are “contrary to international law.”

“Both leaders stressed their rejection of any attempt to change the status quo by force and reaffirmed their determination to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the White House noted. Biden and Kishida discussed interaction in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening economic cooperation and the importance of cooperation in “new technologies.”

The G7 summit will be held in Hiroshima from May 19 to 21.

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