Japan’s new Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru had his first phone conversation with US President Joe Biden just a day after taking office.
The call took place on Wednesday morning, Japan time.
Ishiba noted during the discussion that the Japan-US alliance was strengthened significantly under former Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and President Biden. He said he hopes to continue on this path and further fortify the alliance.
Ishiba also conveyed Japan’s plan to increase defense spending and strengthen its defense capabilities.
He said that Japan wants to further strengthen the network of like-minded countries, including its trilateral relationship with the US and South Korea; the Quad framework with the US, Australia and India; and its three-way ties with the US and the Philippines.
The leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to improve the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance.
They also pledged to boost cooperation between their countries in the field of economic security.
Ishiba and Biden also confirmed their commitment to working closely together on various challenges related to China, responses to North Korea, including its missile and nuclear programs and abductions of foreign nationals, and the situation in Ukraine.
Regarding Israel’s announcement that Iran had launched ballistic missiles toward it, Ishiba and Biden sharply criticized Tehran, calling the attack unacceptable. They agreed to work together to de-escalate the situation and prevent it from turning into a full-scale war.
Ishiba and Biden also agreed to arrange summit meetings between Japan, the US and other countries concerned, including South Korea.
The potential revision of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, which Ishiba has expressed interest in, was not addressed during the call.
Ishiba later told reporters that he felt the discussion went very well.
He said it was the first time he had spoken to Biden since they had a roughly hour-long conversation at the White House when Biden was vice president and he was secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party.
He added that he hopes the possible revision of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement will be discussed at a later opportunity.