Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting (Summary)

On April 10th, commencing at 10:50 a.m. (11:50 p.m. on April 10th, Japan time) for approximately 85 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, during his official visit to Washington D.C., held a meeting with the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America. The overview of the meeting is as follows (the small group meeting commenced at 10:50 a.m. (11:50 p.m. on April 10th, Japan time) and lasted approximately 30 minutes; the expanded meeting commenced at 11:25 a.m. (0:25 a.m. on April 11th, Japan time) and lasted approximately 55 minutes).

1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that it is an honor to be invited to the official visit. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan and the U.S. are bonded by deep trust and multi-layered friendship, and that based on the bonds, Japan and the U.S. have become global partners beyond bilateral or regional spheres, to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed his intention to showcase how Japan-U.S. relations, which have become stronger than ever, would create our future through his official visit. The two leaders concurred that Japan and the U.S. are global partners working on the issues of the international society.

2. The two leaders shared the recognition that division of the international society is deepening and is facing an unprecedented level of challenges and shared the view to jointly uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law.

3. As the role of the Japan-U.S. Alliance has become more significant than ever before, Prime Minister Kishida stated that with a strong determination he has been making efforts to reinforce Japan’s defense capabilities in accordance with its National Security Strategy, including the future possession of counter-strike capabilities and the increase of its budget for defense capabilities and complementary initiatives to 2% of its GDP as of FY 2022 in FY 2027. In response, President Biden reiterated his strong support for Prime Minister’s initiatives. The two leaders reaffirmed the urgent need to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and shared the view to expand and deepen security and defense cooperation, including their upgrade of respective command and control frameworks in order to enhance interoperability between the U.S. forces and the JSDF. President Biden also reiterated unwavering U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan.

4. The two leaders exchanged views on regional issues.

(1) The two leaders reaffirmed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion are totally unacceptable anywhere in the world and to resolutely respond to them, in coordination with allies and like-minded countries.

(2) The two leaders shared the view to continue working closely together in addressing issues related to China. The two leaders also confirmed the importance of cooperating with China on shared challenges. Furthermore, the two leaders reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

(3) The two leaders held a candid discussion on the latest situation relating to North Korea including its nuclear and missile development as well as Russia-North Korea relations. The two leaders welcomed the progress of Japan-U.S.-ROK relations across many fields, following the outcomes of the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit held last August at Camp David upon the invitation of President Biden, and shared the view to closely cooperate between Japan and the U.S. as well as among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK facing the current situation of serious concern. Prime Minister Kishida also asked for continued understanding and cooperation of the U.S. for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and once again gained full support from President Biden.

(4) The two leaders shared the necessity to enhance engagement with a variety of countries such as Southeast Asian countries and Pacific Island countries. The two leaders shared the view to maintain close coordination including through the Japan-U.S.-Philippines Summit meeting to be held on the following day.

(5) Regarding Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with the recognition that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow,” Prime Minister Kishida expressed his determination to continue severe sanctions against Russia and robust support for Ukraine as Japan’s own issue and shared the view with President Biden to continue to closely cooperate with like-minded countries including the G7 members.

(6) Prime Minister Kishida stated that he highly appreciates President Biden’s diplomatic efforts with regard to the situation in the Middle East and explained that Japan has been making diplomatic efforts to improve the humanitarian situation and to realize a sustainable ceasefire. The two leaders condemned the terror attacks by Hamas and others and shared the view to continue working closely together to improve the humanitarian situation in and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, to realize a two-state solution as well as to stabilize the Middle East region.

5. The two leaders shared the recognition that facilitating private sector-led two-way investment between Japan and the U.S. is crucial for the two countries to together lead global economic growth. Touching upon the investments by Japanese companiesin North Carolina, where he is scheduled to visit during his stay in the U.S., Prime Minister Kishida explained that Japanese companies have made tremendous contributions to the U.S. economy through investments and job creation, to which President Biden expressed his applause. With a view to maintaining and strengthening competitiveness in advanced technologies, including semiconductors, AI, and quantum technology, the two leaders welcomed the materialization of ongoing research and development cooperation and confirmed their intention to accelerate bilateral collaboration on establishing start-up environments that promote innovation and human resource development exchange.

6. The two leaders concurred on strengthening cooperation to respond to economic coercion, non-market policies and practices and overproduction, enhance supply chains resilience, and towards the realization of sustainable and inclusive economic growth through efforts such as decarbonization. In this context, the two leaders shared the view to further deepen coordination toward ensuring economic security either bilaterally, through the G7, or based on other various frameworks. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida stated that the U.S. economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region is essential, and the two leaders exchanged views on the economic order of the region.

7. The two leaders concurred on further promoting cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in the area of outer space. The two leaders welcomed the signing of a Lunar Surface Exploration Implementing Arrangement, which includes the provision of a pressurized lunar rover from Japan as well as the allocation of two astronaut flight opportunities to the lunar surface to Japan. Furthermore, the two leaders announced a shared goal for a Japanese national to be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon on a future Artemis mission, assuming important benchmarks are achieved.

8. The two leaders confirmed that realistic and practical efforts on nuclear disarmament are making progress, including the announcement of the “G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament” last year. Prime Minister Kishida welcomed the U.S. participation in the “FMCT Friends.”

9. The two leaders reaffirmed that people-to-people ties are the foundation of unwavering bilateral relations between Japan and the U.S. and that it is important to further promote people-to-people exchanges to further strengthen the bilateral ties.

10. Manifesting the unwavering determination to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law, which is the basis of global peace and prosperity, whatever it takes, the two leaders issued a Joint Leaders’ Statement “Global Partners for the Future” as a guideline of their determination.