Kishida Calls Southeast Asia Trip 'important Step' For Protecting Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has called his eight-day trip to Southeast Asia an important step to protect Japan amid a deteriorating international situation.
Kishida spoke to reporters in Thailand on Saturday, after a series of international meetings and summit talks with the leaders of the United States, China, and South Korea and others.
Kishida said the Japanese people are feeling more uneasy, as peace and order in the world are facing a major turning point amid rising tensions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and an uncertain security situation in East Asia.
Looking back over the week, he called it an important step to achieving the most important mission in politics, protecting Japan and making its people feel secure.
Referring to a meeting with US President Joe Biden, Kishida said it was an opportunity to reaffirm the strong Japan-US alliance and their commitment to boosting deterrence and response capabilities.
Kishida also met with the leaders of China and South Korea for the first time in three years. He said he exchanged views with them in a constructive manner, despite a range of issues that remain unresolved.
On his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kishida said the two had in-depth discussions on pending bilateral issues, and agreed to continue communications to improve the ties.
Kishida also said the two leaders agreed that the use of nuclear weapons should never be tolerated in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking of his meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Kishida said he agreed with Yoon to seek an early solution to issues pending between the two countries. He said the two confirmed cooperation toward realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Kishida said the leaders from Japan, the US and South Korea were swiftly joined by the leaders of Australia, Canada and New Zealand after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday. He said they affirmed their commitment to responding to the North's provocations together.
Kishida referred to Japan's assuming the presidency of the Group of Seven meetings next year. He said he will take a leadership role in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and address economic and other global issues, which will support the security and prosperity of his country.