On Wednesday, the United States and Japan unveiled plans to strengthen their alliance against the threats from China and North Korea.
A joint statement mentioned China’s foreign policy, which “seeks to reshape the international order to its benefit” and to use its economic, political, technological and military power for that purpose.
The statement also mentioned that the Ministers’ (referred to as collectively in the statement) position on Taiwan “remain unchanged” and that they encouraged the “peaceful resolution” of cross-Strait issues.
The Ministers also “expressed serious concerns” about Hong Kong’s autonomy and freedoms, in addition to human rights issues that include Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
The Ministers condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and emphasized “with concern Russia’s growing and provocative strategic military cooperation with China,” which includes joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan.
President Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met on Friday. Biden stated that the United States is “fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance.”
Prime Minister Kishida had also met with European and Canadian leaders and signed a defense agreement in London.
In Tokyo, Kishida had stated that he would stress the need for cooperation since the world was “now in a severe security environment” in addition to the global economy “facing the possibility of downside risk.”
Japan announced last year its decision to increase defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product over five years, making its defense budget the third largest globally.
The leaders are also expected to discuss the two countries’ economic ties and challenges related to maintaining global supply chains that are secure. Technology trade with China is an example of security issues related to commerce.
Biden has focused on strengthening alliances across Europe and Asia, which he sees as critical against the threats of China and Russia.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has concerned American, Japanese, and Taiwanese officials about the risk of China attempting a move on Taiwan.
Japan is an important member of the Quad coalition (also known as the Indo-Pacific Quadrilateral Dialogue) which was founded in part against Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia, India and the United States are also part of the coalition.
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