Japan's Kishida says U.S. not alone in upholding world order

Prime minister tells Congress that now is not the time for self-doubt

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress in Washington on April 11. © Reuters

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

April 12, 2024 00:48 JST

WASHINGTON -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told U.S. legislators Thursday that Washington does not have to single-handedly shoulder the responsibility of upholding the international order -- and that Japan is ready to be a "shipmate" in that endeavor.

"I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be," the 66-year-old leader said in a speech to a joint session of Congress, which he delivered in English.