USA Fully Committed to Japan’s Defence

US President Joe Biden reassured Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday that the United States is committed to protecting Japan in the face of tensions with China and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

The basis of Biden's visit, including talks with the leaders of the "Quad" group in Japan, India, and Australia, is the standing of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a comprehensive plan that provides an economic pillar of the US involvement with Asia. 

Before that, he was guided inside after meeting the Reigning Emperor and having a brief conversation at the entrance to the palace. The White House said Biden greeted on behalf of the American people, emphasizing the strength of US-Japan relations.

In Asia, especially given its close ties with Russia, there is growing concern about China, which is becoming more and more aggressive, and tensions are rising over autonomous Taiwan, which China considers a separate state.

The United States has lacked an economic pillar for Indo-Pacific involvement since former President Donald Trump withdrew from the multinational Trans-Pacific trade agreement, leaving  China with an area to expand its influence.