THE JAPAN NEWS


 

WASHINGTON — Japan and the United States have started discussions on holding the first summit between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden in person at the White House as early as April, diplomatic sources said.

The possible meeting could make Suga the first foreign leader Biden will meet in person after his inauguration in January.

Tokyo and Washington are coordinating on the specific date for the meeting, taking into consideration the novel coronavirus infection situation and the Diet schedule.

According to the sources, Suga and Biden are expected to hold talks on such issues as ways to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, maritime security in the East China and South China seas in light of China’s actions there, and measures to realize the vision of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

In June, the United Kingdom is hosting an in-person summit of the Group of Seven leading industrial nations. Tokyo and Washington hope to hold the Suga-Biden talks ahead of the G7, so dates in April or during the Golden Week holidays that run through early May are being discussed.

The Biden administration has made dealing with China its top international priority and is working to strengthen ties with its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States will soon hold the first online meeting with the other leaders of the Quad: Japan, Australia and India.

As early as next week, March 15 at the earliest, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Japan, their first visit to a foreign nation since taking on their current posts.

Suga has approached the U.S. government about an early visit to Washington to meet Biden, but the U.S. president had not agreed to meet foreign leaders in person in order to concentrate on domestic affairs.

As it is likely that the Biden-supported $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill will be passed by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. president is reportedly considering to start tackling foreign affairs in person, the sources said.