Seeking stability – and responsibility – Japan builds up military
President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Friday to hail their countries’ robust new military cooperation and Japan’s unprecedented defense buildup – essential components of their shared vision for strengthening order and safeguarding peace in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting underscored Japan’s status as the United States’ most critical ally in Asia, as the Biden administration applauds Tokyo’s willingness to shoulder greater responsibility for its own defense, and thereby play a bigger role in regional security.
In the Oval Office meeting, Mr. Biden said Japan and the U.S. have never been closer, pledged Washington’s full support for the alliance, and praised Japan’s “historic increase” in defense spending. Working together for
