Japan's new PM Ishiba, US President Biden tackle global challenges in first call

Japan's new Prime Minister, Ishiba Shigeru, held his first phone conversation with US President Joe Biden on the morning of October 2, just a day after assuming office.

During the conversation, Ishiba remarked that the Japan-US alliance had significantly strengthened under his predecessor, Kishida Fumio, and President Biden, Caliber.Az reports via Japanese media.

He expressed his desire to continue along this trajectory, aiming to further reinforce the bilateral partnership. Ishiba also outlined Japan's plans to increase its defence spending and bolster its military capabilities.

The prime minister emphasised Japan’s commitment to enhancing ties with like-minded nations, citing the importance of its trilateral relationship with the US and South Korea, the Quad alliance involving the US, Australia, and India, and its three-way ties with the US and the Philippines.

The two leaders concurred on the importance of continuing to improve the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-US alliance.

They also pledged to enhance cooperation in economic security between their respective nations.

In addition, Ishiba and Biden reaffirmed their joint efforts in tackling several key challenges, including issues related to China, North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes, and the abductions of foreign nationals. They also discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

In response to Israel's announcement regarding Iran's launch of ballistic missiles towards its territory, both leaders expressed strong condemnation of Tehran, labeling the attack as "unacceptable." They agreed to work collaboratively to de-escalate tensions and prevent the situation from escalating into a broader conflict.

Ishiba and Biden further agreed to coordinate summit meetings involving Japan, the US, and other concerned nations, including South Korea.

However, the potential revision of the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement, which Ishiba had previously shown interest in, was not raised during the conversation.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ishiba expressed his satisfaction with the discussion, stating that it "went very well."

He also mentioned that this was his first interaction with Biden since their hour-long conversation at the White House, which occurred when Biden was vice president and Ishiba was the secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party.

Notably, Japan’s parliament has confirmed Shigeru Ishiba, the 67-year-old new prime minister, replacing outgoing leader Fumio Kishida, after members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) used their majority to approve his appointment on October 1.

By Aghakazim Guliyev