Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting
May 23, 2022
[Provisional translation]
On May 23, commencing at 11:00 a.m., for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes in total, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting with the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America, who was on his visit to Japan. The overview of the summit is as follows (The very small-group meeting commenced at 11:00 a.m. and lasted approximately 30 minutes; the small-group meeting commenced at 11:30 a.m. and lasted approximately 50 minutes; the extended meeting (working lunch) commenced at 12:25 p.m. and lasted approximately 55 minutes.).
1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida extended his sincere welcome to President Biden's visit to Japan as it demonstrates the continued commitment of the U.S. to the Indo-Pacific region under any circumstances. In response, President Biden stated that he is delighted to have the opportunity to visit Japan for the first time as the U.S. President and sincerely appreciates the hospitality offered by the Japanese side, and that he hopes to demonstrate the unwavering U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific region through this visit to Japan.
2. As Russia's aggression against Ukraine shakes the very foundations of the international order, the two leaders reaffirmed the need to resolutely defend the free and open international order based on the rule of law. The two leaders recognized that notwithstanding the ongoing crisis in Europe, the Indo-Pacific is a region of vital importance to global peace, security and prosperity, and concurred that the Japan and the U.S., as allies sharing fundamental values, will lead the international community and continue to work closely with like-minded countries, such as Australia, India, Canada and members of ASEAN and Europe, toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” In this regard, the two leaders concurred to confirm and further promote progress on various practical cooperation toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” at the Quad (Japan-Australia-India-U.S.) Leaders' Meeting on May 24.
2. The two leaders exchanged their views on regional issues.
(1) Regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting support for Ukraine and imposing sanction measures against Russia, in continued close coordination with the G7 and the international community. In addition, the two leaders concurred on the importance of clearly demonstrating that any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, such as the recent aggression, should not be tolerated in any region, and that such attempts should have significant cost. Furthermore, the two leaders concurred to work closely together to ensure that the recent aggression will not give any country a wrong precedent or misunderstanding that an opportunity has arrived. Prime Minister Kishida also explained Japan's active efforts to reach out to other countries toward international solidarity, including in the Indo-Pacific region, and President Biden expressed his appreciation for Japan's efforts and stated that the U.S. will continue to call for the international community to unite as well.
(2) The two leaders discussed the possible impact of the situation in Ukraine on the Indo-Pacific region and concurred to be attentive to related developments such as the recent China-Russia joint military exercises. In addition, the two leaders strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas and economic coercion, expressed serious concern about the developments in Hong Kong and the human rights situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and concurred to continue to work closely together in addressing issues related to China. Furthermore, the two leaders confirmed that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community, and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. The two leaders also concurred to maintain dialogue and to cooperate on common issues with China.
(3) The two leaders condemned North Korea’s nuclear and missile development activities, including its ICBM launches, and reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions, and urged North Korea to abide by its obligations under these resolutions. In addition, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his appreciation for President Biden's meeting with the family members of the abductees, and asked for full understanding and cooperation again for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained further support from President Biden.
(4) The two leaders welcomed the inauguration of the new government of the ROK, and concurred to further strengthen cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK, including security cooperation.
(5) The two leaders also discussed the situation concerning the Iran nuclear agreement and concurred to continue to work closely together.
3. In the face of the increasingly severe security environment of the region, the two leaders concurred to swiftly strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan, and the two leaders concurred to communicate more closely between Japan and the U.S., including at the ministerial level, to ensure that extended deterrence remains unwavering. In addition, they reiterated their opposition to any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan’s longstanding administration of the Senkaku Islands. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated his determination to fundamentally reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities and secure substantial increase of its defense budget needed to effect it, which received strong support from President Biden. The two leaders concurred to expand and deepen security and defense cooperation between Japan and the U.S., including in the space and cyber domains as well as in the field of emerging technologies, in order to maximize the synergy of the capabilities of the two countries and to ensure the Japan-U.S. Alliance maintains its competitive edge into the future. The two leaders also concurred on steady implementation of the realignment plan of the U.S. forces in Japan, including the relocation of the Futenma Replacement Facility to Henoko as the only solution that avoids the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Futenma, with a view of mitigating the impact on Okinawa and other local communities.
4. While sharing recognition that the U.S. engagement to the regional economic order is becoming increasingly important, President Biden announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and Prime Minister Kishida appreciated the IPEF as well as President Biden’s leadership on its launch, and stated that Japan will participate in and cooperate on the initiative. Prime Minister Kishida also urged the U.S. to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from the strategic perspectives. In addition, in order to enhance competitiveness and resilience of Japan and the U.S., the two leaders concurred to continue to work together, under the Japan-U.S. Competitiveness and Resilience (CoRe) Partnership, in such areas as cancer research and the space domain, and concurred to strengthen cooperation in ensuring economic security, including the development of cutting-edge semiconductors. Furthermore, the two leaders concurred to respond to the situations regarding energy and food, which are significantly deteriorating due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, in close coordination with the G7 and international organizations. In order to further deepen these discussions, the two leaders concurred to hold the Japan-U.S. Economic Policy Consultative Committee (the Economic “2+2”) at the Ministerial level in July 2022, as the two leaders had concurred to establish it at the video teleconference meeting in January. President Biden also reiterated his strong support for Prime Minister Kishida’s “new form of capitalism,” and Prime Minister Kishida expressed his aspiration to create a major trend of economic policies shared by major economies, in cooperation with President Biden, whose policies place importance on the middle-class.
5. The two leaders exchanged their views on global issues.
(1) Prime Minister Kishida stressed the need to reform and strengthen the United Nations, including the U.N. Security Council that has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. President Biden concurred and expressed support for Japan’s permanent membership on a reformed Security Council.
(2) The two leaders concurred to advance realistic and effective measures regarding nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and to work together toward a world without nuclear weapons, while appropriately addressing security challenges.
(3) The two leaders also discussed responses to global health, climate change, the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy and other matters and concurred that Japan and the U.S. will continue to lead the initiatives of the international community.
6. The two leaders concurred to resume various exchange programs, looking ahead to the post-COVID-19 era, and to promote multi-layered people-to-people exchange that will support the unwavering bond between Japan and the U.S., including efforts to foster the next generation of leaders and facilitate exchanges among them toward the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” as well as engage more Japanese Americans in these initiatives.
7. As the outcome of the Summit Meeting, the two leaders issued the “Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders’ Statement: Strengthening the Free and Open International Order,” (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)) which lays out the joint strategy of Japan and the U.S. for maintaining and developing the free and open international order based on the rule of law, taking into account the current international situation and the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region.
8. The discussion turned to Japan holding the G7 Presidency in 2023, and Prime Minister Kishida explained that Japan has decided to hold the Summit Meeting in Hiroshima, considering it to be best suited for the G7 to demonstrate its commitment to peace. The two leaders confirmed that they will work together toward a success of the 2023 G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
9. The two leaders concurred to maintain communication through various opportunities and to continue to work closely together.
[Note] Menu of the working lunch
- Smule and Lobster with Tomato Sauce with Japanese Caviar From SETOUCHI
- Grilled HIROSHIMA JINSEKI Beef Filet, Gravy Sauce Vegetable from HIROSHIMA for Various Textures
- Strawberry Mille-feuille with Vanilla Ice Cream & Cherry Sauce