Sharjah24 - AFP: In an effort to strengthen ties with a critical partner in the Asia-Pacific region, US President Joe Biden will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit in April, the White House said on Thursday.
The visit, which includes a state dinner, shows Washington's focus on a crucial alliance with an eye on an increasingly assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.
"I'm pleased to announce that President Biden and the First Lady will host Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Mrs Kishida of Japan for a state visit on the 10th of April," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
Japan was "one of our closest allies in the whole world," Kirby told reporters travelling with Biden aboard Air Force One to a political event in the state of Wisconsin.
"This obviously will underscore the importance of our alliance with Japan and our bilateral relationship," Kirby said.
Kirby said Biden and Kishida would discuss "how we're working together across a range of other threats and challenges in the Indo Pacific", using the US administration's term for the region.
The two leaders would also discuss improving their three-way cooperation with South Korea, he said.
Kishida's state visit will come eight months after Biden hosted Kishida and South Korea's premier at his Camp David retreat for a landmark summit that rattled China.
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