Biden Meets Kishida, Strongly Supports Defense Commitment... Strengthening ROK-US-Japan Cooperation

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden on the 13th (local time) strongly showcased the robust U.S.-Japan alliance, stating, "The United States is fully and thoroughly committed to Japan's defense." In response to North Korea's successive nuclear missile provocations, they reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and agreed to further strengthen trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in security, economy, and other areas.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the White House, President Biden held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House in Washington, D.C. that day. He quoted Prime Minister Kishida’s remark from their meeting in Japan last May, where Kishida said, "We are two countries that share fundamental values," and added, "I fully agree," emphasizing that "these shared democratic values are the source of our strength and alliance."

President Biden also expressed support regarding the revision of the so-called three major security documents, including the National Security Strategy, stating, "Based on Japan's historic increase in defense spending and the new national security strategy, we are modernizing our military alliance." He further emphasized, "We are also closely cooperating on technology and economic issues, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)."

Referring to cooperation related to the Ukraine war, President Biden expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Kishida for showing "strong leadership." He also said, "You are a true leader and a true friend." Additionally, he said, "It would be harder to find issues where we disagree than to find areas where we closely cooperate," and reiterated the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance by saying, "I don't think the two countries have ever been closer than now."

In response, Prime Minister Kishida mentioned President Biden’s visit to Japan last year, the Quad (the security consultative framework among the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India) summit, and the trilateral summit among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, evaluating that "we have achieved many outcomes for peace, security, and prosperity both within and beyond the region."

He said, "Japan and the United States are facing the most challenging and complex security environment in recent history," and added, "To protect peace and security in Japan and the region, Japan established a new national security strategy at the end of last year." He further stated, "The roles of Japan and the United States, which share fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law, will increase in the future."

After the summit, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in a joint statement. In the statement, they said, "The Indo-Pacific faces increasing challenges ranging from China's actions that violate the rules-based international order to provocations by North Korea," and "We reaffirmed our commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. We promised to strengthen important trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan in security and other areas."

Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related issues, the statement included, "We strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo by force and coercion in the world." It also emphasized, "Our fundamental position on Taiwan remains unchanged," and added, "We reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element for the security and prosperity of the international community."

The summit between President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida was held two months after their face-to-face meeting at the ASEAN summit in Cambodia last November. This was Prime Minister Kishida’s first visit to the White House.