Fumio Kishida is the first Japanese leader to pay a state visit to the United States since Shinzo Abe in 2015.
Washington:
U.S. President Joe Biden praised the “unbreakable” U.S.-Japan relationship on Wednesday as he hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit to the White House that focused on a major upgrade in defense ties against a resurgent China.
Biden rolled out the red carpet for Kishida with a lavish dinner and music by legendary American singer Paul Simon as he sought to emphasize Japan’s importance as an important ally in the Asia-Pacific region.
Under the spring sunshine, Biden held a grand ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House to welcome the Japanese leader, saying that “our partnership is unbreakable.”
He added: “The alliance between Japan and the United States is the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. Our alliance is a truly global partnership.”
Biden, speaking before dress-dressed U.S. service members, also praised Japan’s growing global role, including supporting Ukraine against Russia’s “vicious” incursion.
Kishida responded that Japan gifted thousands of cherry blossom trees to the United States more than a century ago, and they now bloom in Washington every spring.
“I believe that the cherry blossom-like bond of the Japan-U.S. alliance will continue to grow bigger and stronger,” the Japanese Prime Minister said.
“Flip the script”
Behind all the ceremony is serious business, as the two leaders are about to unveil plans to reorganize the U.S. military command in Japan – the biggest push for defense cooperation since the 1960s – while remaining wary of China.
After the formal welcome ceremony, Biden and Kishida met in the Oval Office to discuss what officials said were as many as 70 defense, space and technology cooperation agreements.
The US president will then hold a rare press conference with Kishida in the White House Rose Garden.
The visit underscores the importance of Biden building alliances against China and Beijing’s allies Russia, North Korea and Iran in an increasingly uncertain world with wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
On Thursday, Biden will also host the first trilateral summit between Japan, the Philippines and the United States, aimed at deepening the alliance and countering escalating maritime tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Senior U.S. officials say they want to “flip the script” by isolating Beijing as it attempts to flex its muscles in the region.
They added that a key part of the talks would also be to reassure Japan of long-term support even if Donald Trump wins the US election in November, amid “anxiety in capitals around the world about the prospect”.
Also pending is the thorny topic of Japan’s acquisition of U.S. Steel, a deal Biden opposes but officials said they don’t expect the leaders to discuss the issue.
“Democracy defeats autocracy”
The rest of Wednesday will be devoted to a grand reception for Kishida, 66, and his wife, Yuko.
The state dinner will be held in the White House’s magnificent East Room, which is decorated with fans and cherry blossom branches.
White House chefs will serve Japanese-inspired meals, starting with house-made salmon, followed by dry-aged rib-eye steak with mustard sauce and salted caramel pistachio cake with cherry ice cream.
White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo told reporters that after the dinner, Paul Simon “will perform a series of his signature songs.”
First lady Jill Biden said in a preview of the dinner that it would celebrate the “thriving” U.S.-Japanese friendship.
She said: “Our countries are partners in the world. We choose creation over destruction, peace over bloodshed, and democracy over dictatorship.”
Kishida is the first Japanese leader to pay a state visit to the United States since Shinzo Abe in 2015, and the fifth world leader to receive a state visit since Biden took office in 2021.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said before the visit that Japan has been a staunch pacifist for decades and in recent years has made “some of the most significant and significant changes” since World War II.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
