Japan, US to hold security talks before Kishida meets Biden

Japan and the United States will hold security talks between their foreign and defense ministers in Washington the day before Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida lands in the U.S. capital next week wrapping up his tour of Group of Seven nations as Tokyo expands its military and deepens its alliance with America amid China’s growing influence.
Kishida will embark on a five-nation trip Monday to France, Italy, Britain and Canada ahead of his Jan. 13 summit with U.S. President Joe Biden. While the two leaders last met during a Group of 20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia, Kishida’s Washington visit will be his first as prime minister.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi will fly to Washington to join their American counterparts Lloyd Austin and Antony Blinken for their “2+2” security talks on Wednesday, just before their leaders’ summit at the White House, Japanese officials said Friday.
The “2+2” talks are expected to focus on their new national security strategies, released by Japan in mid-December and the United States in October, and how the two allies plan to tackle security concerns including China, North Korea and Russia.