Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday morning, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and continuing the pro-U.S. policies of his predecessor, Fumio Kishida. The two leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing regional cooperation through a network of like-minded partners.
In his first media address at the Prime Minister’s official residence after taking office, Ishiba disclosed the details of the conversation. He mentioned expressing to Biden the idea of enhancing Japan’s defense through cooperation with the U.S.
According to Kyodo News, both leaders agreed on the significance of increasing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance, including close cooperation on issues surrounding China and Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. They also discussed coordinating for an in-person meeting between the two leaders at the earliest opportunity.
Ishiba stated that one of the primary goals of his policy is to protect Japan, highlighting the current severe security environment surrounding the country as the most challenging since the end of World War II.
He also revisited the proposal to establish a more equal Japan-U.S. security alliance to the media, which includes joint management of U.S. military bases and the establishment of Japanese military bases within the United States.
However, Ishiba mentioned that the topic was not specifically discussed during his call with Biden on Wednesday. “There was no in-depth discussion today. I hope to have the opportunity to discuss it in the future,” he said.
The White House released a summary of the call between the two leaders, where Biden congratulated Ishiba on being elected as Japan’s Prime Minister by the Parliament, emphasizing that the Japan-U.S. alliance has been a cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity for over seventy years, reaching “new heights” under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s leadership.
The summary stated that Biden and Ishiba reiterated their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation and maintaining determination for overall regional peace and stability. They also emphasized the commitment to enhancing regional cooperation through a network of like-minded partners, including cooperation with Australia and India through the Quad dialogue and establishing trilateral partnerships with South Korea and the Philippines.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping called Ishiba on Tuesday to congratulate him on becoming Japan’s Prime Minister.
Xi expressed in his congratulatory message that China and Japan are close neighbors separated only by a strip of water. He “hopes that Japan and China will work in the same direction, abide by the principles and consensus of the four political documents between China and Japan, comprehensively promote the strategic mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, and contribute to building a ‘constructive and stable China-Japan relationship’.”
Regarding domestic economy, Ishiba called for caution from the Bank of Japan regarding further interest rate hikes.
“Our top priority is to ensure Japan completely escapes deflation, and achieving full escape from deflation will take some time,” said Ryosuke Akazawa, Japan’s Minister for Economic Revitalization, at his first press conference following his appointment.
Akazawa stated that Ishiba’s previous remarks on the necessity of normalizing monetary policy came with conditions. He mentioned that the Ishiba government hopes the Bank of Japan recognizes their urgency to get rid of deflation and carefully decides on any further interest rate increases.
As a close ally of Ishiba, Akazawa also emphasized that the government will communicate and coordinate closely with the Bank of Japan to decisively overcome deflation.
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates in July but maintained its policy stance in September, citing the need to monitor the impact of global economic uncertainties.