Biden Holds Phone Talk with Suga, "Congratulates Successful Hosting of Tokyo Olympics" (Summary)

Mrs. Jill Biden Also Joins Phone Conference

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on the 10th.

Kyodo News and Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported, citing U.S. and Japanese government officials, that the two leaders held a phone meeting that morning.

According to Kyodo News, the phone call was conducted at the request of the U.S. side, and the two leaders talked for about 15 minutes.

During the call, President Biden congratulated Prime Minister Suga on the safe hosting of the Tokyo Olympics, which concluded on the 8th, saying it was "successfully held," local media reported.

President Biden also mentioned that the delegations from both countries achieved significant results at this Olympics.

In response, Prime Minister Suga expressed his gratitude to President Biden, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, the two leaders reportedly exchanged their support for the upcoming Paralympics.

Regarding the Tokyo Paralympics opening on the 24th, Prime Minister Suga stated, "We will do our best to realize a safe and secure event," and requested cooperation from the U.S.

The White House issued a statement that day saying, "President Biden conveyed to Prime Minister Suga his support for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics."

The media added that the two leaders also exchanged views on strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and cooperation to respond to China.

Immediately after the phone call, Prime Minister Suga told reporters, "In the face of increasing threats from China, we agreed to strengthen cooperation between our two countries to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

According to Japanese government officials, Jill Biden also participated in the phone call between the two leaders. It is rare for the First Lady to directly join phone calls between heads of state.

Yoshihide Suga (center), Prime Minister of Japan, and his wife Mariko Suga are taking a commemorative photo with Jill Biden (left), First Lady of the United States, at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo on the evening of the 22nd, the eve of the Tokyo Olympics opening.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Suga had previously invited Jill Biden to a dinner at the annex of the Tokyo Motoakasaka State Guest House when she visited Japan to attend the Olympic opening ceremony.

During the phone call, Jill Biden expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Suga for the hospitality she received during her visit.

According to government officials, Jill Biden said, "I was able to reaffirm the close relationship with Prime Minister Suga and his wife."