US President Joe Biden and Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, have pledged to fortify defense cooperation in response to potential challenges from China. During Kishida’s visit to Washington, they unveiled plans for an expanded air defense network involving Australia and for a Japanese astronaut to join NASA’s Artemis program, marking the first non-American lunar landing.
The announcement, made from the Rose Garden of the White House, signifies “the most significant upgrade of our alliance since it was first established,” according to Biden. Their discussions, spanning about two hours, heavily emphasized defense matters in the Indo-Pacific region, alongside ongoing global conflicts.
The leaders emphasized the importance of upholding an “international order based on the rule of law” in addressing issues like North Korea, Taiwan, and China. Kishida stressed that unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through coercion are unacceptable.
The agreements include the establishment of a joint command structure between the US and Japanese militaries, joint development of an air and missile defense network with Australia, and participation in trilateral military exercises involving UK forces.
Regarding China, while both nations will address challenges, they also affirmed the significance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation with China on common issues.
In space exploration, Japan will provide a lunar rover, and Japanese astronauts will join Artemis missions, ultimately leading to the first non-American lunar landing.
Earlier in the day, Biden hailed the US-Japan relationship as “the closest of friends.” The leaders also touched on Japan’s Nippon Steel’s acquisition of US Steel, expressing hopes for positive outcomes. Biden assured support for American workers and the enduring US-Japan alliance.
Despite warm receptions in Washington, Kishida faced criticism back home due to a domestic corruption scandal. Nevertheless, both leaders emphasized the historic significance of their alliance during a lavish state dinner, with Kishida evoking John F. Kennedy and Star Trek to underscore their shared journey into the future. However, the meeting received mixed reactions in Japan, where concerns over domestic politics overshadowed the diplomatic efforts.