President Joe Biden praised Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s bold leadership in a series of global crises as he welcomed the Japanese leader to the White House on Wednesday for wide-ranging talks on the delicate security situation in the Pacific, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict and more.

Kishida’s official visit, which includes a glitzy state dinner at the White House on Wednesday evening, completes the Democratic administration’s celebration for the leaders of the Quad, the informal partnership between the U.S., Japan, Australia and India that the White House has focused on. rising since Biden came to power. As government officials put it, they saved the most crucial relationship for last.

The unbreakable alliance between Japan and the United States is the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and around the world, Biden said as he welcomed Kishida at a grand arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

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The visit also marks the realization of Japan’s transformation from a regional player to that of a global influencer, with senior Biden administration officials appreciatively noting that the US does little around the world that Tokyo does not support. They noted Japan’s eagerness to take a leading role in efforts to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion and in the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The cooperation between our countries, bound by common values ​​and commitment, has become a global cooperation, with its scope and depth spanning space and the deep sea, Kishida said. Today the world is facing more challenges and difficulties than ever before. Japan will join hands with our American friends and together we will take the lead in addressing the challenges of the Indo-Pacific region and the world, as we tirelessly develop the relationship.

Kishida also announced that Japan is donating 250 cherry trees to the US to mark America’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Biden and Kishida both face difficult political headwinds on the home front as they try to navigate increasingly complicated issues on the world stage. Like Biden, Kishida was dogged by low approval ratings for much of his term.

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Biden’s re-election efforts are being overshadowed by an American electorate concerned about inflation, unrest among some Democrats over his handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, and concerns about whether, at 81, he is too old to to serve another four years. The U.S. economy took another bleak picture Wednesday, with the government reporting that consumer inflation rose last month, boosted by gasoline, rental prices, auto insurance and other issues.

Kishida, meanwhile, is dealing with a Japanese economy that has slid to the fourth largest in the world after shrinking in the final quarter of 2023, falling behind Germany. Polls in Japan show support for Kishida, who was elected in 2021, has fallen as he faces a corruption scandal involving political funds within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

To be fair, there are differences in the relationship between the US and Japan. The visit comes after Biden announced last month that he opposes the planned sale of Pittsburgh-based US Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel. Biden argued in opposition that the U.S. must maintain strong American steel companies powered by American steelworkers.

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During their private conversations in the Oval Office, Biden and Kishida sidestepped their discussion about the future acquisition of US Steel in detail. Biden said he stood by his commitment to American workers and cherished the Japanese alliance. Kishida noted the extensive investments both countries have made in each other’s economies and his hopes for creating more win-win situations.

The leaders announced plans to improve military ties between the US and Japan, with both sides looking to deepen cooperation amid concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and China’s increasing military assertiveness in the Pacific, it said White House. The structural updates will focus on improving interoperability and planning between U.S. and Japanese forces and exploring strengthening air defense capabilities, including with Australia. The USA, United Kingdom. and Australia are also considering including Japan in the AUKUS Defense Partnership, a grouping launched in 2021 that aims to equip Australia with nuclear-powered and conventionally armed submarines.

Kishida and Biden also confirmed Japan’s participation in NASA’s Artemis moon program, as well as the contribution of a lunar rover developed by Toyota Motor Corp. and the inclusion of two Japanese astronauts in the mission, including one who will land on the moon.

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Biden praised Japan for significantly increasing defense spending and has strengthened economic and security cooperation during Kishida’s tenure.

Japan acted quickly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, joining the US and other Western allies in imposing aggressive sanctions on Moscow. Japanese car manufacturers Mazda, Toyota and Nissan announced their withdrawal from Russia.

Tokyo has been one of Kiev’s biggest donors since the Russian invasion, and Japan has significantly increased its defense spending amid concerns about China’s military assertiveness.

As part of its beefed-up defense, Japan agreed to purchase American-made Tomahawks and other long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea with a more offensive security strategy. Japan, Britain and Italy also began working together on a next-generation fighter jet project.

The prime minister is a visionary and courageous leader, Biden said. When Russia launched its brutal invasion of Ukraine two years ago, he did not hesitate to condemn sanctions, isolate Russia and provide billions [in] aid to Ukraine.”

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Biden also credited Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s efforts to mend frosty relations between Tokyo and Seoul. Relations have thawed rapidly over the past two years due to shared concerns about China’s assertiveness in the Pacific and North Korea’s continued nuclear threats. Biden hosted the two leaders at the presidential retreat at Camp David last year.

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The relationship between Japan and South Korea is delicate due to differing views on the history of World War II and Japanese colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula.

Biden and Kishida also told reporters they were open to direct talks between Japan and North Korea on the kidnapping of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s and other issues. Kishida’s previous calls for talks have been rejected by Pyongyang.

In 2002, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father, told then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi that North Korea

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agents had kidnapped thirteen Japanese citizens and allowed five of them to return to Japan. But Japan believes hundreds were taken and some are still alive. Biden called Japan’s efforts to set up a leader-to-leader summit with North Korea “a good thing,” and he reiterated his administration’s willingness to hold its own talks without preconditions.

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Kishida will remain in Washington on Thursday to take part in a summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines, where China’s increasingly aggressive action in the region will loom over the talks.

Relations between China and the Philippines have been repeatedly tested by skirmishes involving the two countries’ coast guard ships in the disputed South China Sea. Chinese coast guard ships also regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea near Taiwan.

The main purpose of this trilateral agreement is so that we can continue to prosper, help each other and … maintain peace in the South China Sea and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said this. to reporters on Wednesday before leaving for Washington.

Madhani and Miller write for the Associated Press. AP writers Jim Gomez in Manila and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.