WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida touted increased joint military cooperation and a new missile defence system on Wednesday (Apr 10), strengthening their alliance with an eye on aggressive actions by China and Russia.
“This is the most significant upgrade in our alliance since it was first established,” Biden said at a joint White House news conference with Kishida, after about two hours of talks that focused on the restive Indo-Pacific region, Ukraine and the Gaza conflict.
Kishida said the two leaders also discussed tense relations between Taiwan and China and pledged to uphold international order based on the rule of law.
“Unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion is absolutely unacceptable, wherever it may be,” Kishida said. The US and Japan will continue to respond to such actions, including challenges from China, he said.
“Regarding Russia’s aggression of Ukraine … Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow,” Kishida said.
