Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is preparing to meet United States President Joe Biden next year, Kyodo news agency reported on Thursday. The trip is speculated to take place around January 7-9 with possible travel to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
In light of North Korea's ballistic missile launch near Japanese waters last month and China's military presence near Taiwan, Japan is now looking to bolster US-South Korea ties. As a result, the meeting may also include the so-called "2+2" talks with Japanese and US defense and foreign ministers, an indicator that strengthening the security alliance will be on the agenda.
Kishida may also take advantage of the meeting by asking for support during the G7 summit in Japan next year. Kishida last visited the US in September to discuss a free and open Indo-Pacific with Biden and the strengthening of their security alliance.
