Biden meets Japanese emperor, PM

Tokyo: US President Joe Biden on Monday met Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to advance bilateral cooperation on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues, including North Korea’s missile programme.
This trip marks the first of Biden’s tour to Japan as the US President. He had earlier visited the Asian country in 2013 as the Vice President of then US President Barack Obama’s administration.
Biden commended PM Kishida’s leadership in responding to Russia’s war against Ukraine, and his determination to strengthen Japan’s defence capabilities, noting that a strong US-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of peace and stability in Indo-Pacific region, according to a statement released by the White House.
Welcoming the President’s visit Kishida said, “It demonstrates that whatever the situation may be, the US will continue to strengthen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.”
On the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he said, “The use of force to change status quo is not tolerable anywhere in the world,” and called for the two nations to lead in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, a vision widely seen as a counter to China’s increasing clout in the region, according to Japan’s Kyodo News Agency.
“The two leaders also committed to work closely together to address security challenges, including North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and China’s increasingly coercive behavior that runs counter to international law,” the White House’s statement said.
They also agreed to deepen cooperation in areas such as emerging technologies, supply chain security, and clean energy, it added.
The Japanese PM has been affirming with his counterparts opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force, regardless of the location, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heightened concerns that a similar situation could arise in East Asia, Kyodo reported.
Pyongyang has conducted a range of missile tests this year, and there are speculations that it may have completed preparations for another nuclear test.
On Saturday, Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also affirmed in a summit in Seoul that trilateral cooperation, also involving Japan, is crucial in responding to the North Korean threat, according to Kyodo’s report.
Later on Monday, the US President is also scheduled to announce the launch of the Indo-Pacific economic framework as a key vehicle for their engagement in a region expected to drive global growth for years to come.
Regarding the new Indo Pacific economic framework, Biden said it will “increase our cooperation with other nations in the region and deliver concrete benefits for the people of the Indo-Pacific region.”
Ahead of his meeting with PM Kishida, Biden met Japanese Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace here. The meeting was their first since they met in December 2013 as crown prince and vice president
The White House said in a statement that Biden’s visit to the emperor was intended “to offer greetings on behalf of the American people, highlighting the strength of the US-Japan relationship anchored by deep people-to-people ties.”
His three-day visit to the country include the summit of the Quad group which comprises the US, Japan, Australia and India.
On Tuesday, Biden and Kishida will be joined by other members of the Quad for its second in-person summit meeting as the four major Indo-Pacific democracies seek to advance their commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The US President will also meet with the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. The families have hoped for US’ support to help resolve the issue, as aging relatives may have little time left, Kyodo News Agency reported.
The two leaders will also get along in continuing sanctions against Russia for the ongoing conflict.