Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will head to Capitol Hill on Thursday for an address to U.S. lawmakers meant to underscore the importance of keeping a strong partnership between the two countries at a time of tension in the Asia-Pacific and skepticism in Congress about U.S. involvement abroad.
Quick Read
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to address U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill, emphasizing the critical need for a robust partnership between Japan and the U.S., especially amidst the growing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Kishida’s visit follows his meetings with President Joe Biden, marking the conclusion of the White House’s engagements with leaders of the Quad nations (U.S., Japan, Australia, India), which collectively aim to counter China’s military expansion in the area.
- His speech is anticipated to outline the future dynamics of the Japan-U.S. relationship, addressing a Congress where many Republicans advocate for reduced U.S. involvement in international affairs, aligning with Donald Trump’s “America First” approach.
- Despite the $95 billion foreign security package pending in the House, which includes aid for various U.S. allies but not direct funding for Japan, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell sees Kishida’s visit as reinforcing the global struggle against autocratic regimes, notably China, Russia, and Iran.
- Japan’s proactive stance in aiding Ukraine against Russia and in providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza highlights its role as a pivotal ally for the U.S., especially in regions facing challenges from China and North Korea.
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has lauded Japan as a vital partner in ensuring both national and economic security for the U.S., looking forward to further strengthening bilateral ties through Kishida’s visit.
- In addition to his Congressional address, Kishida is participating in a trilateral summit with the U.S. and the Philippines, aimed at enhancing regional cooperation against China’s assertiveness.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson’s delay in advancing the foreign security package, which passed the Senate in February, showcases the internal Republican discord regarding support for Ukraine, adding complexity to Kishida’s visit.
- Kishida, facing domestic challenges including a dip in approval ratings due to a political scandal and Japan’s economic ranking slipping to fourth globally, seeks to reinforce international alliances during his tenure, which began in 2021.
- This address to Congress, the first by a Japanese Prime Minister since Shinzo Abe in 2015, represents a significant diplomatic engagement, with Kishida being the sixth foreign leader to address Congress during Biden’s presidency.
The Associated Press has the story:
Japanese PM Kishida to address Congress amid skepticism about US role abroad
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will head to Capitol Hill on Thursday for an address to U.S. lawmakers meant to underscore the importance of keeping a strong partnership between the two countries at a time of tension in the Asia-Pacific and skepticism in Congress about U.S. involvement abroad.
Kishida was in Washington this week visiting President Joe Biden as the White House completed hosting each leader of the Quad — an informal partnership between the U.S. Japan, Australia and India that is seen as important to countering China’s growing military strength in the region. Kishida is expected to talk about the future of the relationship between Japan and the U.S.
He will be addressing many Republicans who have pushed for the U.S. to take a less active role in global affairs as they follow the “America First” ethos of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The Republican-controlled House has sat for months on a $95 billion package that would send wartime funding to Ukraine and Israel, as well as aid to allies in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan and humanitarian help to civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.
While the package does not include any direct funding for Japan, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier this week that he hoped Kishida’s visit would underscore “that we’re in a worldwide situation here against the enemies of democracy — led by China, Russia and Iran.”
Japan has taken a strong role in supporting Ukraine’s defense against Moscow as well as helping humanitarian aid get to Gaza. It is also seen as a key U.S. partner in a fraught region where China is asserting its strength and North Korea is developing a nuclear program.
“Japan is a close ally — critical to both our national and economic security,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. “This visit will continue to deepen the diplomatic and security relationship between our two countries and build on the strength of decades of cooperation.”
Kishida was also attending a U.S.-Japan-Philippines summit on Thursday in another effort to bolster regional cooperation in the face of China’s aggression.
In Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson has held up the foreign security package since its Senate passage in February but is now working to advance it in the coming weeks. It will be a difficult task to navigate the deep divides on support for Kyiv among Republicans. Making matters worse for the Republican speaker, he is already facing the threat of being ousted from the speaker’s office.
Kishida, who was elected in 2021, arrives in Washington while facing political problems of his own in Japan. Polls show his support has plunged as he deals with a political funds corruption scandal within his ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The nation’s economy has also slipped to the world’s fourth-largest last year, falling behind Germany.
It will be the first time a Japanese prime minister addresses Congress since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe traveled to Capitol Hill in 2015. Kishida will also be the sixth foreign leader to address Congress during Biden’s presidency.
