WILMINGTON: Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio and U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed the importance of their countries’ global partnership at their meeting Saturday morning.

They emphasized the need to strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance, affirming their countries’ roles as global partners central to maintaining international order.

The meeting, which lasted about an hour, took place at Biden’s private residence in Wilmington, Delaware. To Kishida, it was his final one-on-one meeting with Biden as prime minister because he will leave office after his Liberal Democratic Party picks its new leader succeeding him Friday.

In the meeting, Biden praised Kishida’s leadership over the past three years in office, highlighting his support for Ukraine in response to the Russian invasion and efforts to improve Japan’s relations with South Korea.

Kishida emphasized that “the Japan-U.S. alliance has grown stronger than ever under Biden’s leadership.” The two leaders agreed to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the area of security.

They again confirmed their commitment to addressing China’s increasing activities in the East and South China seas with a firm attitude and agreed on “the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

It is unusual for Biden to hold a meeting with a foreign leader at his private residence. The session with Kishida preceded talks among the leaders of the Quad countries of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India.

JIJI Press