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Fumio Kishida Travels to the United States as Prime Minister of a More Assertive Japan

E mbattled Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida travels to the White House on Friday for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden that promises to deepen the two nations’ security alliance amid rising tensions with China and North Korea.

It will be Kishida’s first meeting with Biden since December’s announcement of Japan’s biggest military build-up since World War II, and it follows whistlestop visits by Kishida to Britain, France, Italy, and Canada—industrial powers that Japan will host at a G7 summit in Hiroshima in May.

On Friday, Kishida and Biden are expected to discuss Japan’s plans to acquire missiles able to strike targets across East Asia, efforts to limit China’s access to advanced technology like semiconductors, and strategies to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the two leaders will also agree to new cooperation on thwarting potential threats from space, reconfiguring U.S. troop deployments on Japan’s island of Okinawa, and developing uninhabited islands for joint military drills.

“The big message here is the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance,” says Jeffery Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University in Japan. Kishida, he says, “has basically pushed through a major transformation in Japan’s security policy.”

The trip is also seen as key to restoring domestic credibility for Kishida, who took office in 2021, following a slew of scandals—over resignations by senior colleagues and his Liberal Democratic Party’s ties to the cult-like Unification Church —which have seen his cabinet’s approval rating plummet from 53% in June to 25% in December .

Japan’s new military posture

In December, Japan revised three key defense policy documents, including the National Security Strategy, drastically boosting its military spending while acquiring capabilities to preemptively strike enemy bases in a major departure from its pacifist constitution.

Japan’s draft budget for next year includes $1.58 billion for U.S.-made long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles amid a stated aim to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2027 —a figure in line with NATO targets. Although Japan is not a NATO member, Kishida attended a summit of the military alliance in June as an observer and considers the country a stakeholder in the Ukraine conflict given its disputed maritime border with Russia.

The shifting military posture also comes as Beijing ramps up military exercises near neighboring Taiwan and as North Korea launched a record number of missile tests last year (many of which passed over Japan). Last month, Kishida agreed to develop a new fighter jet with the U.K. and Italy , and he signed a deal with the former that will allow visits by each other’s armed forces.

These moves all align with the Biden administration’s call for Japan to play a bolder role in regional security.

“The United States needs the Indo-Pacific region to be prosperous and secure in order for the United States itself to be prosperous and secure,” a senior State Department official tells TIME.

Focus on Taiwan

Beijing’s military assertiveness around self-ruling Taiwan—which China claims as its sovereign territory—has unsettled Japan and the U.S., not least since China and Moscow held joint military drills in the East China Sea just last month.

In a joint statement, Washington and Tokyo said China presents an “unprecedented” threat to the international order. “China’s foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order to its benefit and to employ China’s growing political, economic, military, and technological power to that end,” it said.

Beijing launched unprecedented military drills encircling Taiwan—some less than 10 miles from its coast—in August following a visit by then U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In an ominous sign, new Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said he plans to follow suit , which would no doubt prompt a similar furious reaction from Beijing.

Biden will also hope to persuade Kishida to limit cooperation with China on new technology-driven industries such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and, particularly, semiconductor chips . Although Kishida has said he backs Biden’s export restrictions on semiconductors to China imposed in October, he has not yet agreed to match the curbs given the potential for economic retribution from China, Japan’s largest trade partner.

Setting the scene for the G7

It’s no coincidence that Kishida’s weeklong tour focuses on nations belonging to the G7, for which he will host a summit in his home city of Hiroshima in May. Since Japan’s defeat in World War II, its constitution has enshrined the principle that it will not wage war. Yet Kishida will hope to use the optics of the formerly nuclear-ravaged city—where an estimated 70,000-140,000 people died after the atomic bombing of Aug. 6, 1945—to press home the magnitude of new threats on its borders.

Not only has Russian President Vladimir Putin openly threatened nuclear war against the U.S. and its allies, but experts believe North Korea is rapidly preparing for a seventh nuclear test. “Politically, the symbolism is very important,” says Kingston.

The G7 will also be important to secure Kishida’s political future. An impending $7 billion tax hike to pay for the military expansion means there’s been no shortage of criticism. Kishida, says Airo Hino, a professor of political science at Tokyo’s Waseda University, “ would like to balance that out by making diplomatic progress with other leaders at the G7 summit.” Hino says that an expected popularity boost following the summit may even prompt Kishida to call a snap election to assert his mandate.

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Japanese prime minister visits Biden at the White House

Michele Kelemen

President Biden welcomes Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House. The visit marks Japan's increasing military posturing amid concerns about China, North Korea and Russia.

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:

President Biden capped a week of high-level diplomacy by hosting Japan's prime minister at the White House today. Japan recently decided to start its biggest military buildup since World War II. And the Biden administration is all for that as it tries to work with allies to counter Chinese aggression in the region. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

MICHELE KELEMEN, BYLINE: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Rome, Paris, London and Ottawa before arriving at the White House, touting his new national security strategy and big budget increases for defense.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRIME MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA: (Speaking Japanese).

KELEMEN: Calling President Biden Joe, the Japanese prime minister said the two countries must play a greater role together on the world stage. Biden said the two are closer than ever. Just this week, the Defense Department announced plans for a new marine force on Okinawa, one that would be more agile and able to respond to or deter Chinese military threats against Taiwan. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced plans to cooperate with Japan in space.

ANTONY BLINKEN: I think what you're seeing in real time is an alliance that is modernized. And the United States and Japan are working in lockstep to be prepared for the emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

KELEMEN: The big challenge is China, but Russia's war in Ukraine has also shaken the global order.

NORIYUKI SHIKATA: Today's Ukraine could be tomorrow's Asia.

KELEMEN: That's Noriyuki Shikata, a Cabinet secretary for public affairs in the prime minister's office.

SHIKATA: If you allow a change of status quo in Ukraine, there could be other attempts to change the status quo in other parts of the world, including in Asia.

KELEMEN: Meaning Taiwan?

SHIKATA: Including Taiwan.

KELEMEN: He told NPR that China's more assertive behavior is not the only reason that Japan is embarking on a military buildup. North Korea continues to launch missiles in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Japan is president of the council this month, but getting anything done there is difficult since Russia and China have veto power. Shikata says the Japanese government will focus on new defensive capabilities.

SHIKATA: Prime Minister Kishida announced his intention for Japan to equip itself with so-called counterstrike capability for defensive purposes. This is to deter aggressions or the use of force against Japan.

KELEMEN: How to pay for this is still under debate, and Japan's government is facing domestic blowback for a talk of tax hikes. Japan also has to walk a fine line not to provoke China. A Chinese government spokesman commenting on the announcement from Washington this week said any cooperation between the U.S. and Japan should not harm the interests of third parties. Shikata says Japan and the U.S. want stability, especially around Taiwan.

SHIKATA: We are seeing eye to eye between Japan and the United States. That peaceful settlement, based on dialogue on the Taiwan Strait issues, should be pursued.

KELEMEN: The Biden administration often describes its approach to China with three words - invest, align and compete. This week's meetings were all about aligning with a key regional ally, Japan. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington.

Copyright © 2023 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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The Full Guest List for Biden’s State Dinner With Japan

The Bidens invited more than 200 guests, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Robert De Niro, Jeff Bezos, Masayoshi Son, Tim Cook and Kristi Yamaguchi.

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By Minho Kim

The White House invited more than 200 guests to the state dinner hosted by President Biden for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday night, including business executives, union leaders, athletes and prominent Japanese Americans. Here is the full list of those invited as provided by the White House.

THE PRESIDENT AND DR. BIDEN

HIS EXCELLENCY FUMIO KISHIDA, PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, and MRS. YUKO KISHIDA

Akiba Takeo, national security adviser of Japan

Arima Yutaka, director-general of North American affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank, and Ritu Banga

John Bass, acting under secretary for Political Affairs at the State Department, and Audrey Hsieh

Stephen K. Benjamin, assistant to the president, and Jordan Grace Benjamin

Anthony R. Bernal, assistant to the president and senior adviser to Jill Biden, and Brian Mosteller

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, and Lauren Sánchez

Ashley Biden and Howard Krein

Finnegan Biden

Naomi Biden Neal and Peter Neal

Mayor Richard T. Bissen Jr. of Maui County, Hawaii, and Isabella Bissen

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Evan M. Ryan, assistant to the president and the White House cabinet secretary

Neil Bluhm and Leslie Bluhm

Brent Booker, president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, and Katherine Booker

Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Sharene Brown

William J. Burns, director of the C.I.A., and Sarah Burns

Kurt M. Campbell, deputy secretary of state, and Lael Brainard, assistant to the president and director of the National Economic Council

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

David Cohen, C.I.A. deputy director, and Suzy Friedman Cohen

Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, and Lisa Jackson

Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper

Representative Diana DeGette, Democrat of Colorado, and Lino Lipinsky de Orlov

Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen

Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JPMorgan Chase, and Judy Dimon

Mike Donilon and Patricia Donilon

Ilana Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan, and Amy Rule

Zachariah Emanuel

Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin and Kathy Evers

Fred Eychaner and Danny Leung

Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers, and Stella Fain

Jon Finer, assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser, and T.J. Fadel

Larry Fink, chairman and chief executive of BlackRock

Bill Freeman and Tom Loftis

Funabashi Yoichi

Funakoshi Takehiro, senior deputy minister for foreign affairs

Susie Gelman and Michael Gelman

Xochitl Gonzalez and Daniel Lubrano

Robert Goodman and Jayne Lipman

Philip Gordon, assistant to the president and national security adviser to the vice president, and Rebecca Lissner, deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser to the vice president

Adm. Chris Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Christine Grady

Jennifer Granholm, energy secretary, and Daniel Mulhern

Jon Gray and Mindy Gray

Rene Haas, chief executive of Arm

Avril D. Haines, director of national intelligence, and David Davighi

Senator Bill Hagerty, Republican of Tennessee, and Chrissy Hagerty

Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle and Joanne Harrell

Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff

Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, and Leighton Kim Oshima

Amos Hochstein, senior adviser for energy and investment, National Security Council, and Rae Ringel

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York and William Hochul

Hosaka Shin, vice minister for international affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Hoshide Akihiko

Amos Hostetter and Barbara Hostetter

Iijima Isao, special adviser to the prime minister and cabinet

Ikuta Lilas

Amabel B. James and Ryan Petersen

Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, and Kennisandra Jeffries

Kamikawa Yoko, minister for foreign affairs

Katahira Satoshi

Katanozaka Shinya

Kobayashi Ken

Arvind Krishna and Sonia Krishna

Daniel J. Kritenbrink, assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Nami Kritenbrink

Kunieda Shingo

Megan Myungwon Lee and Jeff Werner

Mark Macarro, tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, and Holly Macarro

Maeda Tadashi

Judy Marks and Chris Kearney

Representative Doris Matsui, Democrat of California, and Roger Sant

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, homeland security secretary, and Tanya Mayorkas

David McCall and Donna McCall

Sanjay Mehrotra and Sangeeta Mehrotra

Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, and Brynne Merkley

Mikitani Hiroshi

Moriyama Masahito, minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology

Murai Hideki, deputy chief cabinet secretary

Ellen Nakashima and Alan Sipress

Mira Nakashima and Jonathan Yarnall

Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama

Bill Nelson, NASA administrator, and Grace Nelson

Niinami Takeshi

Kelly O’Donnell and J. David Ake

Ono Keiichi, senior deputy minister for foreign affairs

Otsuru Tetsuya, executive secretary to the prime minister

Thomas E. Perez, assistant to the president, and Ann Marie Staudenmaier

John D. Podesta, senior adviser to the president for clean energy innovation, and Mae Podesta

Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, and Elissa Leonard

Natalie H. Quillian, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, and Ryan Quillian

Gina Raimondo, commerce secretary, and Andy Moffit

Mira Rapp-Hooper, special assistant to the president, and Matthew Brest

Bruce N. Reed, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, and Bonnie LePard

Lynda Resnick and Stewart Resnick, owners of the Wonderful Company

Steve Ricchetti, assistant to the president, and Amy Ricchetti

Cecile Richards and Kirk Adams

Robert Roche and Ritsuko Hattori-Roche

Josh Rogin and Ali Rogin

Ethan Rosenzweig, State Department acting chief of protocol

Michael J. Sacks and Cari Sacks

Saito Ken, minister of economy, trade and industry

Serizawa Kiyoshi, vice minister of defense, international affairs

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Lori Shapiro

Alex Hideo Shibutani

Maia Harumi Shibutani

Shikata Noriyuki, cabinet secretary for public affairs for the prime minister’s office

Shimada Takashi, executive secretary to the prime minister

Brad Smith and Gregory Smith

Masayoshi Son, the chief executive of SoftBank

Robert Michael Stavis and Amy Stavis

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser, and Maggie Goodlander

Katherine Tai, U.S. trade representative, and Robert Skidmore

Representative Mark Takano, Democrat of California, and Glen Fukushima

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Lafayette Greenfield II

Representative Jill Tokuda, Democrat of Hawaii, and Susan Morita

Maria D. Toler and Casey Albert

Annie Tomasini, assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, and Ray Tomasini

Ueno Yukiko

Pranay Vaddi, special assistant to the president, and Megan Vaddi

Richard Verma, deputy secretary of state for management and resources, and Zoe Verma

Lorraine A. Voles, assistant to the president and chief of staff to the vice president, and Ruby Smith

Kent Walker and Diana Walsh

Mark Walter and Kimbra Walter

Steven Westly and Anita Yu Westly

Eugene Woods and Lauren Wooden

Yamada Shigeo, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States

Kristi Yamaguchi, former figure skater, and Yukiko Saegusa

Yamamoto Takayoshi, executive secretary to the prime minister of Japan

Janet L. Yellen, Treasury secretary, and Wally Adeyemo, deputy Treasury secretary

David Zapolsky and Lynn Hubbard

Jeffrey D. Zients, assistant to the president and chief of staff to the president, and Mary Zients

Watch CBS News

A look at the White House state dinner for Japan's prime minister in photos

By Kathryn Watson

Updated on: April 11, 2024 / 9:37 AM EDT / CBS News

A spring-themed menu inspired by American and Japanese cuisine and decor evocative of a koi pond were all features of Wednesday night's White House state dinner honoring Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife.

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden recognized the long alliance between the United States and Japan with the rare, time-honored tradition of a state dinner that draws from the traditions of both countries. 

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon, who counts both the first lady and the prime minister as fans, performed. 

Former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Robert DeNiro, and billionaire Jeff Bezos were all on the guest list. 

The theme and decor 

The theme was "celebration of spring," a symbol meant to mirror the friendship between the two countries. A garden displayed blooms native to both nations, including sweet peas, peonies and hydrangeas. Glass and silk butterflies appeared on the dinner tables, too. 

The starring element of the decor for the dinner was the floor, covered to make it appear as if guests are walking over a koi pond with lily pads and cherry blossoms. The colors green, blue and pink were central to the theme — green to represent the growth of friendship, blue to represent stability and security and pink to represent spring's essence. 

The food is the center of any good state dinner. According to the White House, guests were served a first course of house-cured salmon; a salad of avocados, red grapefruit, watermelon radish and cucumber; and shiso leaf fritters.

Dry-aged rib eye steak with blistered shishito pepper butter, fava beans, morels and cipollini was the main course, with a sesame oil sabayon. 

Dessert included salted caramel pistachio cake, a matcha ganache; and ice cream — cherry ice cream, with raspberry drizzle. 

The evening's wines were from Oregon and Washington. 

From Hollywood celebrities, to billionaires, to key political allies, the guest list was exclusive. 

• Fumio Kishida

Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, D.C.

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WATCH: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses joint meeting of Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed U.S. lawmakers at the Capitol on Thursday, urging them to consider the importance of global commitments at a time of tension in the Asia-Pacific and deep skepticism in Congress about U.S. involvement abroad.

Watch Kishida’s remarks the player above.

Kishida is in Washington this week visiting President Joe Biden as the White House completes hosting each leader of the Quad — an informal partnership between the U.S. Japan, Australia and India that is seen as important to countering China’s growing military strength in the region. Kishida highlighted the value of the U.S. commitment to global security and offered reassurances that Japan is a strong partner.

On Capitol Hill, his audience included many Republicans who have pushed for the U.S. to take a less active role in global affairs as they follow the “America First” ethos of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The Republican-controlled House has sat for months on a $95 billion package that would send wartime funding to Ukraine and Israel, as well as aid to allies in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan and humanitarian help to civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.

“As we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be,” Kishida told Congress.

He sought to remind lawmakers of the leading role the U.S. has played globally since World War II. After dropping two nuclear weapons on Japan to end the war, the U.S. helped rebuild Japan, and the nations transformed from bitter enemies to close allies.

“When necessary, it made noble sacrifices to fulfill its commitment to a better world,” Kishida said of the U.S.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier this week that he hoped Kishida’s visit would underscore “that we’re in a worldwide situation here against the enemies of democracy — led by China, Russia and Iran.”

WATCH: Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida hold joint news conference

Japan has taken a strong role in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Moscow as well as helping humanitarian aid get to Gaza. It is also seen as a key U.S. partner in a fraught region where China is asserting its strength and North Korea is developing a nuclear program.

“Japan is a close ally — critical to both our national and economic security,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. “This visit will continue to deepen the diplomatic and security relationship between our two countries and build on the strength of decades of cooperation.”

Kishida offered reassurances that Japan is also committed to global security and human rights. He said that since recovering from the “devastation of World War II,” Japan has transformed from a reticent ally to a strong partner “standing shoulder-to-shoulder” with the U.S.

The prime minister called China’s stance “unprecedented” and “the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan but to the peace and stability of the international community at large.”

Kishida was also attending a U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit on Thursday in another effort to bolster regional cooperation in the face of China’s aggression. The United Kingdom also announced Thursday that it would hold joint military exercises with Japan and the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific next year.

Beijing has pushed back strongly on those actions during Kishida’s visit.

Mao Ning, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman, said, “Despite China’s serious concerns, the U.S. and Japan attacked and smeared China on the Taiwan question and maritime issues, grossly interfered in China’s domestic affairs and violated the basic norms in international relations.”

WATCH: Ambassador Emanuel on building military cooperation with Japan to deter China

Meanwhile, Kishida cast the future of the conflict in Ukraine as having far-reaching consequences. He emphasized that Japan has committed to providing Kyiv with $12 billion in wartime aid, including anti-drone detection systems.

“Ukraine of today may be East Asia of tomorrow,” Kishida told lawmakers, and later added: “Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine.”

The statements drew standing ovations from much of the chamber but a group of hardline conservatives remained seated. Other lawmakers skipped the speech and Capitol staff filled empty chairs with congressional aides.

Those moments encapsulated the pressure that House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing as he searches for a way forward for the foreign security package. It will be a difficult task to navigate the deep divides among Republicans. Making matters worse for the Republican speaker, he is already facing the threat of being ousted from the speaker’s office.

Kishida, who was elected in 2021, arrived in Washington while facing political problems of his own in Japan. Polls show his support has plunged as he deals with a political funds corruption scandal within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The nation’s economy has also slipped to the world’s fourth-largest last year, falling behind Germany.

This is the first time a Japanese prime minister addresses Congress since Shinzo Abe traveled to Capitol Hill in 2015. Kishida is the sixth foreign leader to address Congress during Biden’s presidency.

He relished the moment and highlighted his ties to the U.S. He told lawmakers how he spent his first three years of elementary school in New York City while his father worked there as a trade official. Lawmakers applauded and laughed as he recalled American pastimes like attending baseball games and watching the Flintstones.

“I still miss that show,” Kishida told them. “Although I could never translate, ‘Yabba dabba doo.’”

— Aamer Madhani, Associated Press

Associated Press writer Didi Tang contributed.

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Ambassador Emanuel on building military cooperation with Japan to deter China

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Kishida arrives in US for 1st state visit by Japan PM in 9 years

April 9, 2024 (Mainichi Japan)

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in the United States on Monday for the first state visit by a Japanese leader in nine years, underscoring the increasing importance of the alliance between the two countries.

Kishida is scheduled to hold a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday in Washington and will address a joint session of the Congress the following day, according to Japanese government officials.

Kishida, who is slated to return to Tokyo on Sunday, is expected to reaffirm with Biden the significance of Japan-U.S. cooperation in various areas ranging from security and state-of-the-art technologies to the strengthening of supply chains, the officials said.

"I would like to confirm that Japan and the United States have built a more solid relationship, and it will be an important opportunity to convey this message to the world," Kishida told reporters before departing Tokyo.

Kishida has said that his state visit to the United States will help bolster the bilateral alliance, and he is to become Japan's first prime minister to deliver a speech at the U.S. Congress since Shinzo Abe, who did so in April 2015.

Addresses given by foreign dignitaries to joint sessions of the U.S. Congress have taken place on special occasions. During Barack Obama's presidency, Abe, who was gunned down in July 2022, became the first Japanese premier to make such a speech.

Abe said in his address that he would stick to statements made by his predecessors in expressing "deep remorse" over Japan's wartime behavior, admitting that the nation's actions "brought suffering to the peoples" of other Asian countries before and during World War II.

The theme of Kishida's speech on Thursday is likely to be "future-oriented," and it is believed that he will stress how the partnership between Japan and the United States is crucial in maintaining a free and open international order, one of the officials said.

As Kishida represents a constituency in Hiroshima, a city that was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in August 1945, there is a focus on whether he will touch on his vision of a world without nuclear weapons when he appears in the legislature.

In 2015, Abe and Obama agreed to boost the Japan-U.S. alliance to promote peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and tackle security challenges. Shortly after, the two nations updated their defense cooperation guidelines for the first time in 18 years.

Kishida and Biden will also pledge to reinforce defense relations in East Asia amid China's growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, the government officials said.

On Thursday, Kishida and Biden are set to hold an unprecedented trilateral summit involving Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in response to the increasingly unstable security environment in Asia, the officials added.

During his trip to the United States, Kishida is planning to visit North Carolina, with Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's biggest automaker by volume, constructing a new battery plant in the southeastern state to beef up its electric vehicle line.

Kishida is eager to showcase Toyota's contribution to job creation and investment in the United States due to the possibility Donald Trump, who in the past has criticized his country's trade deficit with Japan, may be re-elected as president in November.

When a Japanese prime minister makes an official trip to the United States, it is customary to visit other cities outside the capital. Abe visited Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2015. In 2006, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Memphis.

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North Carolina welcomes a historic visitor in Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is cementing economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina after a visit to Washington focused on global security issues. His visit included a historic lunch at the governor’s mansion with Gov. Roy Cooper.

North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper, North Carolina Gov. Roy Copper, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Japan first lady Yuko Kishida pose for a photograph before attending a luncheon at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

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Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a luncheon in his honor at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, back left, tour the assembly building during a visit to the Honda Aircraft facility in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, second from right, walks through the assembly building during a visit to the Honda Aircraft facility in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, April 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina and Kristin Cooper, arrive at the Booksellers area of the White House for the State Dinner hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden for Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and wife Kishida Yuko, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber, Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper addresses a luncheon in honor of Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

Japan first lady Yuko Kishida, center, is flanked by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left and Shigeo Yamada, Japan Ambassador to the United States, during a luncheon in honor of the Prime Minister at the North Carolina Executive Mansion, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. (Robert Willett/The News & Observer via AP, Pool)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cemented economic links and cultural amity with North Carolina on Friday, following up time in Washington during his official U.S. visit by checking up on benchmark Japanese companies building in the ninth-most populous state and meeting with students.

In between, Kishida lunched at the governor’s mansion in Raleigh, a historic first for the head of a foreign country in the Tar Heel state. Japan is North Carolina’s largest source of foreign direct investment, where over 200 Japanese companies have now set up shop, employing over 30,000 people, according to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and his office.

“I am honored to be here in North Carolina to showcase the multilayered and strong ties between Japan and the United States,” Kishida said through a translator, inside the mansion ballroom, where about 60 people listened. The guest list included Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein, Republican state House Speaker Tim Moore and executives of several Japanese and American companies in the region.

He called North Carolina “a state at the forefront of the times” and flexed his knowledge about its landmarks, mentioning Kill Devil Hills, where the Wright Brothers had their first successful flight, as an example of the state’s ingenuity.

Until now, Kishida’s trip to the U.S. had been focused on global safety. He met President Joe Biden to discuss security concerns about China’s military, participated in the first trilateral summit between the U.S., Japan and the Philippines, and made the case in an address to a joint session of Congress for the U.S. to remain involved in global security.

But Kishida, who has been Japan’s prime minister since 2021, said before his trip that he chose to stop in North Carolina to show that the Japan-U.S. partnership extends beyond Washington, according to a translation posted on his website.

Kishida, Cooper and others traveled to the Greensboro area for Friday morning visits to a Honda Aircraft Co. production facility, as well as to the construction site for a Toyota Motor Corp. electric and hybrid battery plant that is expected to ultimately employ more than 5,000 people.

Hours before Kishida and his wife arrived Thursday night at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, a subsidiary of another Japanese company, Fujifilm, announced an additional $1.2 billion investment in its upcoming biopharmaceutical manufacturing plant and another 680 jobs.

Chiaki Takagi, a Japanese studies lecturer at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, said this week that the prime minister’s visit surprised her but that it could signal a “positive future partnership” between Japan and the U.S. and more Japanese workers coming to the state.

“This whole thing will provide the area with opportunities to be engaged in very active cultural exchange between Japan and the U.S.,” Takagi said.

The luncheon marked the first time a foreign head of state has visited the governor’s mansion since record-keeping began in 1891, the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources said.

“What a better way to start than with one of our closest allies and friends from the country of Japan, with whom we share so many common interests,” Cooper said at the luncheon. “So today we make history, welcoming our wonderful friends.”

Cooper has a history of visiting Japan, making two trips to Tokyo in 2017 and 2023 during his time as governor. When it was announced Kishida was coming to the U.S., Rahm Emanuel, U.S. ambassador to Japan, said during the luncheon Cooper was the first to call to ask for the prime minister to visit his state.

Guests dined on a three-course meal prepared by James Beard award-winning Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen, which included wagyu beef tenderloin and Carolina Gold Rice pudding. Meanwhile, additional members of the Japanese delegation and the governor’s staff listened to live bluegrass music as they ate barbeque.

Kishida, Cooper and others went to North Carolina State University in Raleigh later Friday, where they met students ranging from those in middle school to adults studying Japanese. They visited the university’s Japan Center, which was established by former Gov. Jim Hunt and others in 1980 following a state trade mission to Tokyo. North Carolina State also has long, formal ties with Japan’s Nagoya University.

Earlier Friday, Kishida’s wife, Yuko, and North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper shared a traditional Japanese tea at Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham.

Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh contributed to this report.

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Prime minister kishida’s visit to france, italy, the united kingdom, canada and the united states of america.

From 9 to 14 January, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, is scheduled to visit France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. During his visit, Prime Minister Kishida is scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of these countries to discuss a wide range of topics, such as regional and international affairs, including Ukraine, as well as bilateral relations. Through this visit, Prime Minister Kishida intends to confirm cooperation for the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit under Japan’s presidency this year, and confirm further collaboration between likeminded countries by deepening security cooperation with these countries which have been strengthening interest and engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida to visit France, Brazil and Paraguay from May 1

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio is set to embark on a six-day tour to France, Brazil and Paraguay from May 1.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa announced the prime minister's plan on Friday.

In France, Kishida will attend a meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Japan will chair the talks, which are expected to focus on addressing international economic and social challenges. Kishida will also hold a summit meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to exchange views on bilateral relations and international affairs.

Kishida will then visit Brazil, which holds the presidency of the Group of 20 this year. He will hold a bilateral summit to seek cooperation for a successful meeting of G20 leaders. Kishida is also scheduled to deliver a speech on Japan's foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. It would be the first time in 10 years for a Japanese prime minister to do so.

A bilateral summit is scheduled in Paraguay as well, with the aim of forging stronger bilateral ties.

Hayashi told reporters that the world's attention will be focused on Latin America this year, as Brazil will chair the G20 forum. He said Japan hopes to seize the opportunity to strengthen ties with the region.

Hayashi said Japan also intends to lead discussions on economic and social challenges at the OECD, with an eye on maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Trump meets with Japan's former prime minister Aso

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Reporting by Nathan Layne, additional reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler and Himani Sarkar

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Trump meets with former Japanese prime minister

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso , a senior figure in the country’s governing party, met with Donald Trump on Tuesday, becoming the latest U.S. ally seeking to establish ties with the Republican presidential candidate.

The 83-year-old Aso, who is currently vice president of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, entered Trump Tower in Manhattan on Tuesday evening and met with the former U.S. president for about an hour.

“He’s a highly respected man in Japan and beyond and somebody that I’ve liked and I’ve known through our very dear friend Shinzo,” Trump said as he escorted Aso into the building, referring to the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe .

They discussed the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance for security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and challenges posed by China and North Korea , Trump’s campaign said in a statement.

Trump also praised Japan’s increased defense spending, according to the statement.

Trump is in New York to attend a criminal trial in which prosecutors allege that he falsified business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels , who says they had a sexual encounter 10 years earlier, so as not to hurt his chances in the 2016 election.

Aso was deputy prime minister under Abe, who formed a close bond with Trump during his presidency. A longtime powerbroker in Japanese politics, Aso has decades of experience shaping U.S.-Japan ties.

Japan has been trying to connect with people close to Trump ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, reflecting concerns that if he wins, Trump could resurrect protectionist trade measures or take other steps that could hurt the Japanese economy or affect strong defense ties with the United States.

In a post on his Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump decried the yen’s historic slide against the dollar, calling it a “total disaster” for the United States.

“When I was President, I spent a good deal of time telling Japan and China, in particular, you can’t do that,” he wrote. “It sounds good to stupid people, but it is a disaster for our manufacturers and others ... This is what made Japan and China into behemoths years ago. I put limits on both (and others!), and if they violated those limits, there was hell to pay.”

The yen has been trading around a 34-year-low against the dollar, just shy of 155 yen — a cause for concern for Japanese authorities as well as markets that are on heightened alert for any signs of intervention from Tokyo to prop up the currency.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki issued the strongest warning to date on Tuesday on the chance of intervention in the market, saying last week’s meeting with U.S. and South Korean counterparts had laid the groundwork for Tokyo to act against excessive yen moves.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told a Tuesday news conference that Aso’s U.S. visit was “a personal activity” of a lawmaker and “the government is not involved,” when asked about the diplomatic implications of Aso meeting Trump.

The Trump-Aso meeting occurred about two weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida  unveiled plans for military cooperation and an array of projects aimed at strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The meeting marks the latest effort by a foreign country to shore up ties with Trump as polls show an extremely close re-match between him and Biden.