Biden and Kishida strengthen bonds to defend global order

70 agreements include weapons co-production and support for Texas bullet train

U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walk along the White House Colonnade toward the Oval Office for a meeting at the White House on April 10. © Reuters

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

April 10, 2024 18:12 JST

Updated on April 11, 2024 06:11 JST

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued a joint leaders' statement after their meeting on Wednesday, declaring that their countries will be "global partners" going forward, acting together on the world stage to uphold and bolster a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

As they met in the Oval Office, Biden said the alliance has "never been stronger in our entire history." He commended Kishida for supporting the U.S. in Ukraine, rebuilding ties with South Korea, and more, saying: "You personally have made all this possible."