Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 pledged to deepen his country’s alliance with the United States under Japan’s new defense policy that breaks from its exclusively self-defense-only stance in the face of growing regional tensions.
Speaking in a news conference after visiting Ise Shrine in central Japan, Kishida remarked that he will visit Washington for discussions with President Joe Biden to accentuate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance and pursue closer cooperation between the countries under Japan’s new security and defense strategies which were adopted last month.
The U.S. visit is part of the Japanese Prime Minister’s impending trip to most of the Group of Seven countries beginning Monday, January 9, 2023.
Japan will host this year’s G-7 summit in Hiroshima. Kishida disclosed that his meeting with Biden will be “very important” and “more significant than showing my face as G-7 President.”
“We will show to the rest of the world an even stronger Japan-U.S. alliance, which is a lynchpin of Japanese security and diplomacy. We will also show our further cooperation toward achieving a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific.’”
Fumio Kishida
Under the new security and defense plans, Japan is procuring hundreds of U.S.-developed Tomahawks and other long-range cruise missiles to avert possible attacks.
Also, Japan is building up defenses in its southwestern parts amid surging fears of a Taiwan emergency. The U.S. and Japan are expected to discuss how they would cooperate in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.
Earlier on Wednesday, the White House announced that Biden will host Kishida for economic and security consultations on January 13, 2023.
Biden and Kishida are expected to discuss North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, amid concerns over the potential for another nuclear test by the reclusive nation, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stability across the Taiwan Strait, climate change and economic issues.
“President Biden will reiterate his full support for Japan’s recently released National Security Strategy, its presidency of the G7, and its term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The leaders will celebrate the unprecedented strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and will set the course for their partnership in the year ahead.”
White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre
The two leaders last met in Bali, Indonesia, during November’s Group of 20 summit.
According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, Kishida will also visit France, Italy, Britain and Canada to meet their leaders during his January 9-15 trip.
Kishida Vows To Tackle Birth Rate Decline in Japan
Also on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, Kishida vowed to tackle Japan’s serious problem of declining births.
The Prime Minister made this vow while pushing his “new capitalism” policy that he said will generate a “virtuous cycle of growth and distribution of wealth” to achieve a steady increase in salaries that have stalled for decades.
The number of babies born in Japan last year is expected to fall to a new record below 800,000 as part of a steady decline that is seen as eroding national strength.
“We cannot wait any longer. From an economic perspective, we also need to allay the concerns of those saying they cannot invest in Japan because it’s shrinking from declining births.”
Fumio Kishida
Kishida said the government will do more to expand support for childcare and reduce gender gaps in salaries and working environments to lower barriers for women.
Japan is the world’s third-biggest economy but living costs are high and wage increases have been slow. The conservative government has lagged in making society more inclusive for children, women and minorities.
So far, the government’s efforts to encourage people to have more babies has had limited impact despite introducing subsidy payments for pregnancy, childbirth and child care.
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