On Friday, United States (US) President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House for his first in-person summit since taking office in January. The leaders reaffirmed their “iron-clad support” for the US-Japanese alliance and exchanged views on various issues of mutual concern, including China, North Korea, COVID-19, and climate change.
In a press conference following their meeting, Biden said that he and his counterpart had “serious talks on China’s influence over the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and the world at large.” The leaders vowed to work together to “oppose any unilateral attempts” to change the status quo in the East and South China Seas, discussed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and shared concerns about the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Despite these concerns, however, both Biden and Suga said that they recognised the importance of “candid conversations” with Beijing and agreed to work with China on areas of common interest.
On North Korea, the two sides underscored their commitment to denuclearisation, and urged Pyongyang to abide by its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions. “We intend to strengthen deterrence to maintain peace and stability in the region and will work together and with others to address the dangers associated with North Korea’s nuclear and missile program, including the risk of proliferation,” the leaders said.
With respect to the Indo-Pacific, the countries agreed to work closely with allies and partners, including ASEAN, Australia, and India (under the Quad framework) to build a “free, open, accessible, diverse and thriving” region.
In an attempt to respond to emerging global challenges like health crises and climate change, Biden and Suga also launched a new Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership. It will focus on increased cooperation and investments in competitiveness and innovation, the global health security infrastructure, climate change, and green growth. Suga said that the countries understood the role of the digital economy and new technologies in bringing about social transformation and huge economic opportunities and said that the US and Japan will work closely on the promotion of R&D in various related areas. He added that the countries would cooperate on the supply of vaccines and promote the need for equitable access to all nations.
“Freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law — as we firmly defend and uphold these universal values that Japan and the US share, I look forward to the actual implementation of the outcomes of today’s significant meeting and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific by further collaboration and deeper cooperation with Joe,” Suga said.
RECAP: US President Joe Biden’s Meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga
The leaders reaffirmed their “iron-clad support” for the US-Japanese alliance and discussed a number of issues of mutual concern, including China, North Korea, COVID-19, and climate change.
April 19, 2021
SOURCE: REUTERS