U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met in Delaware last month ahead of a four-way summit with their counterparts from Australia and India. The two outgoing leaders met at the president’s private residence in Wilmington.
Biden, who U.S. officials say feels very close to Kishida, praised the Japanese prime minister for being a “visionary and courageous” leader over the past three years.
“The two leaders committed to sustain efforts to take the U.S.-Japan alliance to new heights and to continue standing side-by-side together as steadfast global partners,” the White House said in a statement.
Kishida and Biden, who both took office in 2021, decided not to seek reelection in their respective countries.
The White House said the two leaders reflected on their joint achievements and the challenges their countries may encounter in the coming years. Foreign policy topics took center stage, particularly China’s activities in the South China Sea.
Biden and Kishida reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and their opposition to altering the status quo in the region. The two leaders also discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Kishida echoing Biden’s strong support for Ukraine and the U.S. decision to impose strict sanctions on Russia.
The United States has always considered Japan an indispensable ally, especially now amid the escalating tension in the South China Sea. Japan’s role in the Indo-Pacific region remains vital as the geopolitical situation grows more complex.
