Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, sitting in a room of the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Jan 21, 2022, talks in a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden, shown in the monitor. (CABINET SECRETARIAT / KYODO NEWS VIA AP)
US President Joe Biden will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Jan 13 to discuss a "free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House said on Tuesday.
The two leaders will discuss "a range of regional and global issues including the conflict in Ukraine, and maintaining peace and stability," the White House said.
Kishida plans to discuss Tokyo's new security policy, which saw the unveiling in December of Japan's biggest military build-up since World War Two, Japan's Yomiuri daily newspaper reported last week, citing multiple unidentified Japanese government sources.
The White House said Biden will reiterate his full support for Japan’s recently released National Security Strategy.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to discuss Tokyo's new security policy, which saw the unveiling in December of Japan's biggest military build-up since World War Two, Japan's Yomiuri daily newspaper reported last week, citing multiple unidentified Japanese government sources
"The leaders will celebrate the unprecedented strength of the US-Japan Alliance and will set the course for their partnership in the year ahead," the statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre showed.
On a visit to Japan in May, Biden applauded Kishida’s determination to strengthen Japanese defense capabilities.
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Japan's $320 billion defense plan includes the purchase of missiles capable of readying the country for sustained conflict.
Japan hosts the Group of 7 nations this year, including a leaders' summit in May in Hiroshima that Biden plans to attend. The club, which also includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada, has been a focus of Biden's efforts to revitalize US alliances.
Japan also took up a two-year term on the UN Security Council on Jan 1 and holds the rotating monthly presidency of the 15-member body for January.
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (second left) walks past a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type 19 155 mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer (back left) and a Type 12 surface-to-ship missile (back right) as he inspects equipment during a review at JGSDF Camp Asaka in Tokyo on Nov 27, 2021. (KIYOSHI OTA / POOL / AFP)
Christopher Johnstone, head of the Japan program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said Kishida's visit would reinforce Japan's stature as America's most critical ally in the Indo-Pacific.
He said Kishida would seek Biden’s endorsement of his national security and defense strategies, and in particular support for its acquisition of counterstrike capabilities.
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"Japan’s defense strategy calls for the introduction of US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles in the near term, but does not specify a timeline. Kishida will look for the president’s support to move quickly," he said.