Japan-United States of America Relations
Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk
October 5, 2021
On October 5, commencing at 8:15 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States of America. The overview of the talk is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he was delighted to work with the President and added that the Japan-U.S. Alliance will continue to be the core of Japan’s foreign and security policy under his cabinet. In response, President Biden offered his congratulations to Prime Minister Kishida on his assumption of office and the start of his administration.
- The two leaders shared the view to work closely together toward the peace and stability of the region and beyond, through further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance and realizing a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
- The two leaders also concurred on the importance of further strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance. They shared the view to further strengthen the Alliance’s deterrence and response capability to address the increasingly severe security environment in the region. President Biden reaffirmed the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan including the application of Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty to the Senkaku Islands.
- Regarding regional issues such as China and North Korea as well as other major issues, the two leaders shared the view to coordinate closely based on the Japan-US Joint Leaders' Statement issued in April. With regard to the abductions issue, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued understanding and cooperation towards the immediate resolution of the issue, to which President Biden offered his support.
- In addition, the two leaders shared the view to coordinate closely in responses to COVID-19 and climate change, and in efforts toward “a world free of nuclear weapons.”
- The two leaders shared the view to start coordination at an appropriate time, aiming for an early realization of an in-person summit talk.