Japan PM’s US visit in 9 years to boost ties amid rising China concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida has embarked on a state visit to the US, marking the first such visit by a Japanese head of government in nine years. This visit is crucial, given the current global security environment and the pressing regional challenges in the Asia-Pacific.

Speaking to India Today TV, Noriyuki Shikata, Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs in Japan’s Prime Minister’s office, said, “At the bilateral summit meeting with President (Joe) Biden, Prime Minister Kishida will confirm the deepening ties between Japan and the US in the context of alliance, economic and business relations, promoting cultural exchanges, promoting sophisticated technology cooperation between the two nations.”

“He will also address a joint meeting of US Congress, and would also discuss future-oriented relations between Japan and the US and the broader context of Japan-US cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, under a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Strengthening Bilateral and Trilateral Alliances

Prime Minister Kishida’s visit underscores the growing importance of the Japan-US alliance, particularly in response to the complex security dynamics in the region.

“Prime Minister Kishida will confirm the deepening ties between Japan and the US in the context of alliance, economic and business relations, promoting cultural exchanges, promoting sophisticated technology cooperation,” Noriyuki Shikata said.

The discussions are expected to cover a wide array of topics, including enhancing military coordination, addressing North Korea’s provocations, and countering Chinese pressure in contested regions like the South China Sea.

The US, Japan, and the Philippines are set to discuss their collaborative efforts to maintain a “free and open order based on the rule of law”, a principle that is pivotal for regional peace and prosperity.

“Prime Minister Kishida’s week-long state visit, the first by a Japanese head of government in nine years, coincides with a deteriorating security environment in the region. The visit is expected to consolidate their bilateral defence partnership, and reassure the Philippines at their trilateral summit, in the face of an assertive China,” Ambassador Sujan Chinoy, Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi, told India Today TV.

Kishida’s visit will create a new baseline for cooperation, regardless of the outcome of the November 5 US presidential elections.

Addressing the China Challenge

The trilateral summit involving the US, Japan, and the Philippines is particularly significant, considering the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

Ambassador Sujan Chinoy emphasised the visit’s timing amidst a “deteriorating security environment” in the region.

Kishida’s visit aims to “consolidate their bilateral defence partnership and reassure the Philippines,” particularly in light of China’s assertive posture.

China’s reaction to these developments is predictably critical, with Ambassador Chinoy noting that Beijing would likely view the trilateral meeting as an attempt to “contain China and encircle it”, framing it as “interference” by external powers in its core interests.

He said, “China will, as usual, criticise the trilateral meeting as it did in reaction to the joint naval drill by the US, Japan, Australia and Philippines navies in the South China Sea on Sunday (April 7). The PLAN conducted counter drills there, and said the area was under control because all the ‘irritants’ had left the area.”

“It will undoubtedly term the visit as yet more ‘interference’ by ‘small cliques’ in regard to its ‘core interests’ and as an attempt to ‘contain China and encircle it’.”

Noriyuki Shikata, the official at the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, said, “We are of the view that anywhere in the world there should not be attempts to change the status quo by force in a unilateral fashion. So that’s why we are opposing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And we have been extending our support for Ukraine. At the same time, we are concerned about some of the unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and in the South China Sea.”

“And Prime Minister Kishida has also been trying to engage with (Chinese) President Xi Jinping. The last time was on the margins of APEC Leaders Summit in San Francisco in November 2023. So Prime Minister Kishida has been conveying his views, his concerns regarding China’s activities in the region,” he said.

“At the same time, he is looking for opportunities for cooperation between Japan and China on global issues such as climate change.”

Economic and Defence Ties

Prime Minister Kishida’s trip is not solely about security; it also focusses on bolstering economic and defence collaboration. The planned USD15 billion acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel signifies the depth of economic interconnections between the two nations, highlighting the strategic nature of their partnership.

The defence ties between Japan and the US are a cornerstone of their strategic partnership, significantly highlighted during Prime Minister Kishida’s ongoing trip to Washington. Amid evolving security challenges, particularly concerning China’s regional assertiveness and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, this visit underscored the commitment of both nations to enhance their military collaboration.

“As far as the Japanese security viewpoint is concerned, we are facing threats and security concerns from North Korea with a missile program or nuclear program. And as we have already discussed, you know, China’s activities in the region… And besides, we are also attentive to emerging collaboration between North Korea and Russia going both ways. So we need to have a regional picture. And I believe that India and Japan could share common viewpoints,” said Shikata.

Discussions likely touched on Japan’s plans to double its defence spending, its role in the AUKUS (Australia, the UK, US) defence pact, and the enhancement of joint military capabilities, including the proposed upgrade of the American military command structure in Japan.

These developments are not just about bolstering defence capabilities but also about sending a strong signal of deterrence in the region, emphasising the solidity of the Japan-US alliance in maintaining regional peace and stability.

To a question about revamping the American military command in Japan and appointing a four-star US general commanding the forces there, Shikata said, “Japan is coming up with a new permanent integrated command structure in the Japanese Self-Defense Force.”

“We understand that the US side is considering reviewing its command structure, especially in the context of US forces in Japan. And we wish to deepen our collaboration between Japanese forces and US forces. But it’s not a joint command of the US and Japan,” he said.

“We are talking about separate command structures for both countries and how we could deepen our alliance collaboration in the context of interoperability and improving our capabilities together.”

Taiwan Question

The issue of Taiwan is a key focus during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the US, reflecting the shared concerns of Japan and the US regarding regional stability.

Cabinet Secretary Noriyuki Shikata emphasised the importance of peace and stability around Taiwan, and said, “We have the view that the issues and problems surrounding Taiwan will be settled peacefully through dialogue.”

To a question on whether Japan would come to Taiwan’s rescue should China make military overtures to the island state, Shikata said, “On the issue of Taiwan, peace and stability of the region is very important, not only for the Japanese security landscape, but for the future, the international society as a whole.”

“So we have the view that the issues and problems surrounding Taiwan will be settled peacefully through dialogue. And this is the view that we have conveyed to the Chinese sideâ€æ So this is something we are working on, and we urge China to play a responsible role as a big power.“

This stance underscores the commitment of both Japan and the US to a peaceful resolution of tensions, advocating for dialogue over conflict, and highlights their unified approach to ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region amidst rising tensions.

The Broader Implications

The Japanese leader’s US visit also holds broader implications for regional stability, especially concerning the issue of Taiwan.

Shikata emphasised the importance of peaceful dialogue, stating, “We urge China to play a responsible role as a big power… And we need to work together with other like-minded countries, including India.”

Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the US is a pivotal moment in bilateral relations, set against the backdrop of an evolving geopolitical landscape.

It reaffirms the alliance’s strength, addressing pressing regional challenges, and setting the stage for future cooperation, regardless of the US political climate.