US and Japan have agreed to boost cooperation on pressing economic and security issues, including China, North Korea’s missiles, and Russia’s threat to Ukraine. The decisions were taken in a virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kishida said he and Biden had agreed to cooperate to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, to work closely on China and the North Korean missile issue, and also to cooperate on Ukraine. He also said Japan would host a meeting of the Quad grouping of the United States, Japan, Australia, and India in the first half of this year with Biden visiting.
Biden accepted the invitation and indicated his intention to visit in late spring.
Kishida added that both countries would work closely to prevent a Russian invasion of Ukraine keep close contact with other allies and partners and continue communicating on the point that any attack will be met with strong action.
A White House statement said Biden had welcomed Kishida’s decision to increase defence spending and underscored the importance of sustaining these vital investments over time.
