Biden to Meet Japanese Head of State During US–Japan Summit

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On May 22, U.S. President Joe Biden arrived at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo ahead of a summit between the United States and Japan, including a rare dialogue with the Japanese head of state.

Biden is to meet with the Japanese monarch Naruhito at the royal palace on the morning of May 23 and then talk with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace in Moto-Akaka, Tokyo.

It is the first face-to-face U.S.–Japan summit since Biden took office.

On the same day, a 2+2 foreign and economic affairs ministerial conference will be held between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, alongside their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Koichi Hagiuda.

Biden and Kishida will then be present at Izumi Garden Gallery in Roppongi, Tokyo, for a press conference on the Indo–Pacific Economic Framework, one of Biden’s initiatives for economic engagement in the region.

On the evening of May 23, Kishida will have dinner with Biden at Happo-en Garden, Shirokanedai, an affluent district in Tokyo.

On May 24, Biden plans to be part of a summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD, with the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia, discussing countering the growing hegemony of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and strengthening cooperation in a wide range of security and economic areas, including ties with Indo–Pacific countries.

The meeting is to be hosted by Kishida, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participating. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is not yet confirmed as attending owing to Australia’s May 21 general election.

Prior to the summit, the Japanese government rolled out a proposal on its space policy, saying that the threats and risks to the sustainable and stable use of outer space are much higher than ever before, considering the activities of Russia and the CCP.

In addition, Japan is expected to enhance its space vigilance system by launching a space surveillance satellite by fiscal year 2026 and to set up a “satellite constellation” in which a large number of small satellites would work together for missile defense and other purposes.

The United States and other friendly nations are also looking to determine the rule of law about space security and the sustainable application of space.

As the Biden administration becomes increasingly wary of future attempts by the CCP to unify Taiwan on the basis of military force, discussions on Taiwan will also be a focus, and human rights issues in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and elsewhere are expected to be addressed.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has deployed 18,000 officers to secure Biden’s visit to Japan. During the period, as Biden travels, traffic restrictions will be imposed on the capital’s highways and surrounding public roads, and large vehicle checkpoints will be set up, according to local outlet NHK.

Reuters contributed to this article.