WASHINGTON: The US government was relieved that the administration of Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio further stabilized its political base with a sweeping victory by the nation’s ruling bloc in Sunday’s election.

Washington now hopes that Japan will maintain the foreign and security policy laid down by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was gunned down during a stump speech on Friday ahead of the House of Councillors election.

Abe’s policy centered on the Japan-US alliance, a strengthening of Japan’s defense capabilities and the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative, apparently aimed at countering China.

In telephone talks with Kishida on Saturday, US President Joe Biden expressed his condolences for Abe’s death and stressed that the free and open Indo-Pacific initiative and the establishment of the Quad framework, which involves the United States, Japan, Australia and India, are Abe’s enduring legacy.

The president’s remarks reflected his belief that a stronger alliance and multilateral cooperation will continue to be indispensable in countering China, which is viewed by Washington as a serious challenge.

William Brooks, an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, pointed out that Kishida is a diplomatic realist, just like Abe.

Kishida has already expressed intentions to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities and showed vigilance against an increasingly authoritarian China, Brooks noted.

A key task for Japan and the United States now is strengthening economic security, including efforts to restructure supply chains for semiconductors and other strategic items.

The two governments will hold their first two-plus-two meeting of foreign and economic ministers in Washington as early as July 29 to discuss how to give shape to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a US-led new economic bloc initiative.

In the meantime, Washington, which gives weight to collaboration among the United States, Japan and South Korea in dealing with North Korea, plans to urge Tokyo to mend its soured relations with Seoul.

Greater engagement with Pacific island nations, where China is increasing its influence, is another issue for Japan and the United States.

JIJI Press