Japan's Kishida eyes U.S. state visit next year after Biden invitation

Exclusive: Prime minister may address Congress on trip to promote stronger alliance

U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Nov. 16 on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. © Kyodo

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

November 22, 2023 00:09 JST

TOKYO -- Preparations are underway for a possible state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the U.S. next spring, Nikkei has learned, with an agenda expected to include modernizing the bilateral alliance in light of Japan's defense buildup.

U.S. President Joe Biden invited Kishida for a state visit in early 2024 when the two leaders met last week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.