"Kishida, Japanese Prime Minister, Coordinating First Visit to the U.S. in January Next Year"

Plans to Hold Mid-January Japan-US Foreign and Defense Ministers (2+2) Meeting

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (Photo by AP Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Kyodo News reported on the 24th, citing a Japanese government official, that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is coordinating to hold talks with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington DC from January 7 to 9 next year.

If this meeting takes place, it will be the first time Prime Minister Kishida visits the United States since taking office in October last year.

According to Kyodo News, Prime Minister Kishida plans to convey specific measures to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities and the policy to increase defense spending based on the three major security documents, including the National Security Strategy to be revised next month.

This is interpreted as Kishida emphasizing the U.S.-Japan alliance.

It is also reported that a U.S.-Japan Foreign and Defense Ministers (2+2) meeting will be held in Washington DC in mid-January next year.