Politics

Biden, Japan PM talk China, North Korea, Russia in first formal meeting

President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held their first formal meeting virtually on Friday to discuss the two countries’ relationship and the threat posed by China in the Pacific.

During the call, which lasted just over 80 minutes, both leaders appeared in good spirits and were smiling in photos released by the White House and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“Prime Minister, can you hear me?” Biden said at the start of the call, which was recorded in a brief video clip released by the White House.

Kishida, 64, said hello and waved in response. 

“It’s good to see you again,” Biden said, adding that he “enjoyed our brief meeting in Glasgow.” 

The two leaders laid eyes on each other at November’s COP26 United Nations climate summit in Scotland. They previously spoke on the phone in November when Biden called to congratulate Kishida on his election victory the previous month.

President Biden met virtually with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Jan. 21, 2022. Adam Schultz/The White House via AP
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Biden discussed the threat posed by China in the Pacific. Cabinet Secretariat/Kyodo News via AP

A senior White House official said the two leaders had a “very in-depth discussion” on China and touched on issues of mutual concern, including Beijing intimidating its neighbors and building up its nuclear arsenal. 

Biden and Kishida also discussed the ongoing situation in Xinjiang, where Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities have been herded into camps and made to undertake forced labor in what the State Department has termed a “genocide.”

“President Biden and I were able to exchange views frankly, in a very calm and quiet manner, about how Japan and the United States together cooperate and lead the international society, which I believe will lead to further strengthening of the Japan-US alliance,” Kishida told Japanese media following the call

President Biden affirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to defend Japan. AP Photo/Susan Walsh and Eugene Hoshiko, File

According to the White House, the two leaders also discussed the inauguration of a “2 plus 2” forum that will focus on economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region, such as technology and supply chains. 

Biden and Kishida also discussed recent ballistic missile launches by North Korea and made clear both countries are prepared for diplomacy. 

The senior administration official revealed that Biden “made clear” the US will be working closely with South Korea and Japan on “next steps to discourage possible provocations that might follow on.” 

The president also affirmed that the US has an “unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan,” the White House said. 

Kishida, who is from Hiroshima, on which the US dropped an atomic bomb at the end of the World War II, also said he raised to Biden concerns about nuclear security and the idea of achieving “a world without nuclear weapons.”

Friday’s call came as the US faced increasing tensions with Russia over Ukraine. Moscow has amassed roughly 100,000 troops along its western border, stoking fears of a possible invasion. 

According to the White House, Biden and Kishida “committed to work closely together to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine,” with the prime minister pledging to keep in close coordination with the US and other allies if a response to Russia is warranted. 

PM Kishida thought his meeting with President Biden would strengthen the Japan-US alliance. AP Photo/Susan Walsh and Eugene Hoshiko, File

During his first year in office, Biden has made clear that one of his priorities was to strengthen ties in the Indo-Pacific. However, some alliances have caused rifts with other allies – particularly in the case of the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal

On Friday, Biden and Kishisa spoke to the importance of the Quad alliance between Australia, Japan, India and the US to ensuring a “free and open Indo-Pacific region.” 

The two leaders also “resolved to ensure the Quad delivers practical results in areas such as COVID-19 response, climate and clean energy, and infrastructure.” 

Kishdia invited Biden to travel to Japan this spring for the next Quad Leaders Meeting, and the president accepted. 

Following the call, Biden shared a photo from the meeting on Twitter, adding that “It was an honor to meet with Prime Minister Kishida to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance — the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.”