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TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make an official visit to the United States this week. He will hold a summit with President Joe Biden and aim to significantly strengthen the defense alliance between the two countries.
He will also participate in the first summit meeting between the leaders of the United States, Japan and the Philippines in Washington, where he will appeal for cooperation in the face of the crisis. China is becoming increasingly assertive.
The Associated Press explains the significance of Kishida’s visit and the summit meeting between the two leaders.
What does Mr. Kishida want to achieve?
The biggest event during the week-long trip is a summit with Biden on Wednesday. Kishida wants to further strengthen the alliance amid China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Kishida also touted Japan’s contribution to the U.S. economy and urged Americans to ensure stable relations regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election later this year.
Since taking office in 2021, Kishida has pushed for fundamental changes to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities. Japan and the United States are now global partners striving to maintain a rules-based international order, and Japan is expected to play a larger international role. They will emphasize that they are ready to take on the role. He will assist Washington in security, economic and space areas.
Expanding arms equipment and technological cooperation between the two countries and other like-minded partners is also critical. Kishida spoke to some media on Friday.including AP.
Kishida was stabbed corruption scandal, He needs to make a successful visit to the US in order to recover from his low domestic approval rating.
What is a state visit?
Mr. Kishida will be welcomed as a state guest at a White House arrival ceremony on the South Lawn, a state dinner, and other official events. He is Biden’s fifth state guest and has also hosted the leaders of India, Australia, South Korea and France, underscoring the United States’ focus on the Indo-Pacific security partnership.
Kishida was the first Japanese leader to visit as a state guest. Shinzo Abe Prime Minister Abe has significantly revised the interpretation of Japan’s pacifist constitution, acknowledging that the principle of exclusive defense also applies to the United States, an ally.
Why focus on defense?
Defense is at the top of the agenda due to growing concerns about threats from China, North Korea and Russia. Chinese coast guard ships regularly approach disputed islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan. Taiwan. The Chinese government says Taiwan is part of its territory and will keep it under military control if necessary.
There is also a concern that North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kishida has warned that a war in Europe could lead to conflict in East Asia, suggesting a lax attitude toward Russia will embolden China.
Kishida said, “I believe it is important to cooperate with like-minded countries, including the Philippines, while keeping the Japan-U.S. alliance at the core.”
What are the main topics of the summit?
Biden and Kishida are expected to agree on a plan to modernize the military’s command structure so they can work together to improve operations. The United States has 50,000 troops stationed in Japan. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces is preparing to reorganize to assume joint command of land, air, and navy by March 2025.
We also expect new efforts in defense-industrial cooperation, including joint production of weapons and possibly new missiles to support U.S. operations in the Western Pacific, and the repair and maintenance of U.S. warships and other equipment in Japan. ing.
The possibility of Japan joining the US-UK-Australia security partnership to develop and share advanced military capabilities such as artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and hypersonics could also arise.
Mr. Kishida and Mr. Biden are also expected to confirm Japan’s participation. NASA’s Artemis Moon Project This includes the contribution of a lunar rover developed by Toyota Motor Corporation and the participation of Japanese astronauts. U.S. officials say the spacecraft will cost about $2 billion, making it the most expensive contribution to the mission by a non-U.S. partner to date.
What are Japan’s defense goals?
Since adopting a more expansive National Security Strategy 2022, The Kishida administration took bold steps to accelerate Japan’s military buildup. Kishida has promised to double defense spending and increase deterrence against China, which Japan views as its biggest security threat, and hopes to demonstrate that Japan can strengthen its security cooperation with the United States. ing.
Japan is working to acquire so-called “counterattack” capabilities. Purchased 400 US Tomahawks long-range cruise missile. After banning the transfer of almost all weapons; Relaxed export guidelines Twice in recent months, it has been allowed to sell lethal weapons to licensed countries and to sell fighter jets it is co-developing with Britain and Italy overseas.With this change, we are now able to ship to Japan. Japanese-made PAC-3 missiles sent to the US This is to provide alternative support to what Washington has provided to Ukraine.
What will happen to the summit meeting with the Philippines?
The first-ever trilateral summit meeting between Mr. Biden, Mr. Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be held as follows. Philippines faces escalating maritime tensions with China Regarding claims in the South China Sea.
The three maritime democracies are united in the face of China’s aggressive actions against the Philippine Coast Guard and its supply ships off the disputed Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, according to a Biden administration official. I want to show that I am.
Japan sells coastal radar to Philippines, negotiations currently underway defense agreement This would allow the militaries of both countries to visit each other’s territory for joint military exercises.
The trilateral agreement will take place eight months later. Biden hosted a meeting with the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David..
“Cooperation between the three countries is extremely important in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and safeguarding a free and open international order based on the rule of law,” Foreign Minister Kishida said before departing for Washington on Monday. Stated.
What’s going on in North Carolina?
Kishida also wants to emphasize Japan’s economic contributions to the U.S. Experts say there is bipartisan agreement to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, but what will happen if former President Donald Trump wins? As a result of these questions, there is growing uncertainty about the US election in Tokyo.
Mr. Kishida will meet and visit business leaders Toyota electric vehicle battery factory Under construction for launch in 2025, and Honda’s business jet subsidiary In North Carolina. He also plans to meet with students at North Carolina State University on Friday.
Kishida said in a speech to Congress on Thursday that he intends to convey “what Japan and the United States want to pass on to future generations and what we need to do for them.”
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