Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio (R) holds talks with US President Joe Biden (L) in Tokyo on May 23, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

At a joint press conference after their talks in Tokyo, Prime Minister Kishida said that amid worsening regional security environment, Japan and the US need to “speedily strengthen the deterrence and response of the Japan-US alliance," adding that he conveyed his determination to "fundamentally strengthen" Japan's defense capabilities. He "reaffirmed that any attempt to change the status quo by force is absolutely impermissible, regardless of the location," and that they oppose such attempts in the East China Sea and South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam).

Both leaders shared concerns about North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. According to Prime Minister Kishida, President Biden also expressed support for Japan becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Kishida announced Japan’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a US-led economic connectivity initiative. However, Tokyo still wants the US to return to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, CPTPP (formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, TPP).