Japanese leader to hold talks with Biden in US on April 16
Source: The Associated Press
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
today
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will visit Washington for talks with President Joe Biden on April 16, the government said Friday. The trip had previously been announced, but not the exact date.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters that Suga will be the first foreign leader to meet Biden in person since he took office in January.
“That by itself is proof that the United States places importance on Japan,” he said. ”It is also significant as we demonstrate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance and the U.S. commitment to engage in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Japan is eager to develop close relations with the new U.S. administration and was hoping to schedule Suga’s visit sooner. Japanese media, including the Nikkei business newspaper, said the trip was delayed because of a request from Washington.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-cabinets-tokyo-yoshihide-suga-japan-568cf29a65ea72617ed83dfb4ab9e6aa