Prime Minister Kishida will move to Washington, the United States, which will be the last destination in a series of visits, and will be attending a summit meeting with President Biden from the early morning of the 14th, Japan time.

At the meeting, the two leaders are expected to confirm the solidarity of the G7 for the success of the summit, as the world faces the situation in Ukraine and food and energy issues.



In addition, Prime Minister Kishida made a major shift in Japan's security policy last month, stating in the new National Security Strategy the possession of a "counterattack capability" to strike enemy launch bases and a significant increase in defense spending. It is a policy to explain



In light of China's increasingly hegemonic moves, I would like to confirm that the direction of Japan-U.S. security strategy is in line, and demonstrate the strengthening of the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance both domestically and internationally. am.



In addition, it is expected to confirm the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Japan and the United States in areas such as economic security, including the development of cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors, quantum technology, and biotechnology.

US expert “will be a strong check against China”

In an interview with NHK, Christopher Johnston, director of Japan at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), an American think tank, and director of East Asia at the White House's NSC (National Security Council) until last spring, said, He said the talks would serve as a strong check against China.



In an interview, Johnston said, ``Japan-U.S. relations have never been this strong since the end of the war, and President Biden will strongly welcome Prime Minister Kishida's visit.''



The background to this is that the Biden administration highly values ​​the three documents, including the National Security Strategy that Japan decided last month, and said, "Japan will further invest in its own defense capabilities and strengthen the Japan-US alliance. In particular, it is important to have a counterattack capability, strengthen cyber capabilities, and make new investments in space and unmanned systems."

Regarding Japan's "counterattack capability," Mr. Johnston said, "Until a few years ago, some parts of Washington were not happy about it, but that has changed and they are welcoming it." The reason for this is that the United States has greatly deepened its trust in Japan, and as China intensifies its military activities, it is believed that Japan will play an important role in maintaining stability in East Asia. I analyzed that there is something.



Johnston said, ``In order for Japan to strengthen its counterattack capability and cyber field, there will be a need for deeper levels of cooperation, coordination, and integration between Japan and the United States.As a result, the quality of the alliance will change. It will come," he said, acknowledging that Japan's decision could change the nature of the Japan-US alliance itself.



In addition, Mr. Johnston said, "This time's Japan-US summit will send a strong message of 'the unity of Japan and the United States,'" and he expressed his view that it would be a strong restraint on China.