© Reuters. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listens to U.S. President Joe Biden during a joint press conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (not pictured) at the trilateral summit at Camp David near Thurmont, Maryland, U.S., August 18, 2023. REUTE
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit to the United States on April 10, the White House said on Thursday.
The formal social and policy event delivers on a promise by Biden to host the closely allied nation, which is key to the United States’ strategy to lower tensions around China, North Korea and other Asian security issues.
In pre-recorded remarks to an event hosted by the Wilson Center think tank, Japan’s ambassador to Washington, Shigeo Yamada, said on Thursday: “2024 will be a pivotal year for Japan-U.S. relations, with an official visit by Prime Minister Kishida taking place early in the year.”