Japanese PM to attend UN General Assembly session

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to travel to the US in late September to participate in the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Preparations for the visit are in progress, and if it occurs after the election of a new leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, it would mark a rare instance of a sitting prime minister traveling abroad following a change in party leadership, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Additionally, arrangements are being made for Kishida to meet with US President Joe Biden, who has withdrawn from the presidential race. 

This visit is expected to provide Kishida with an opportunity to reflect on his diplomatic efforts. A multi-day trip starting on September 22 is being considered. If the LDP presidential election is held on September 20, Kishida would attend the UN General Assembly after a new LDP president is chosen. 

The new prime minister could be appointed at an extraordinary Diet session as early as September 24, following the three-day weekend that includes a national holiday. If the LDP election is held on September 27, Kishida's visit to the US would coincide with the campaign period of the presidential race. Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who did not participate in the LDP presidential election in September 2021, visited the US during the election campaign.

During his visit, Suga attended a Quad leaders' summit with Japan, the US, Australia, and India, and held separate meetings with Biden. Instead of attending the UN General Assembly, Suga delivered a prerecorded video speech. The forthcoming UN meeting presents Kishida with a chance to directly inform global leaders of his resignation.

“A senior Foreign Ministry official noted, ‘Kishida is anticipated to remain active in diplomacy as a former prime minister. It’s valuable for him to engage with world leaders before stepping down.’”   With the possibility of former US President Donald Trump making a return in the November presidential election, some government officials suggest it might be prudent for Japan’s new prime minister to avoid forming too close a bond with Biden.