President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Washington this month to discuss the future of U.S.-Japan relations. In a joint statement, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the United States and Japan’s “unprecedented cooperation” based on the two countries common goals and priorities. As President Biden stated:
“These shared democratic values are the source of our strength, the source of our alliance, and the source of our being able to deliver for all our people.”
In addition to bolstering defenses against growing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, the joint statement discussed plans to strengthen both nations’ capabilities to meet a host of new and emerging threats.
The United States and Japan signed a space cooperation Framework Agreement. Its goal is “furthering scientific progress and human space exploration,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement. “Together, we have advanced the frontiers of human endeavor and scientific knowledge through our partnership –- from the creation of the International Space Station to development of the lunar Gateway, a research outpost that will orbit the Moon and be used to prepare for future missions to Mars.”
The United States and Japan also plan to improve their economic security by building resilience in supply chains to protect from threats such as economic coercion, non-market policies and practices, and natural disasters.
In addition, because Japan and the United States are the two largest democratic economies in the world, the joint statement promised to build the global economy to achieve gender equity and equality, make sustainable progress to net zero emissions, and “improve creditor coordination to provide debt relief.”
The United States sees Japan as one its closest allies, “newly committed to achieving peace and prosperity, not only through our words but through our actions. The times demand no less.”
