Kishida heads to U.S. for final trip abroad as Japanese leader

On Saturday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida embarked on what will be his final overseas journey as Japan's leader before stepping down from his role. His trip began with a departure from Tokyo bound for the United States, where he is scheduled to engage in several high-level meetings and deliver important speeches.

During this visit, one of the primary events on Kishida’s agenda is a summit involving the leaders of the Quad nations, which includes Japan, the United States, Australia, and India. The summit will take place near Wilmington, Delaware, and will serve as an opportunity for Kishida to strengthen ties with the other Quad members. This group, which has grown in significance in recent years, is focused on promoting cooperation across various areas, including security, economics, and efforts to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Kishida’s participation in this summit reflects Japan’s ongoing commitment to this alliance, especially in the face of regional security challenges.

In addition to the Quad summit, Kishida is scheduled to deliver a speech at the "Summit of the Future," which will be held at the United Nations in New York. This event brings together world leaders to discuss long-term global challenges and aspirations. Kishida has expressed that he intends to use this platform to articulate his vision for fostering peace and prosperity worldwide. He aims to emphasize the importance of building a world that is not only peaceful and free but also rich in opportunities for all.

Before his departure from Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Prime Minister Kishida addressed reporters, expressing his hopes for the trip. He emphasized his desire to further strengthen cooperation with the other Quad countries, reiterating Japan's dedication to the goal of ensuring stability and openness throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This goal has been a consistent theme in Japan's foreign policy, especially as geopolitical tensions in the region have continued to rise.

Furthermore, Kishida revealed that, during his U.S. visit, he plans to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Joe Biden. This meeting will likely cover a range of issues, including the security dynamics in East Asia, economic partnerships, and global challenges. Additionally, Kishida will have the opportunity to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Given Japan's support for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia, this meeting could serve to reaffirm Japan's stance and support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

Kishida's trip is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, when he will return to Japan. This final overseas engagement marks a significant moment in Kishida's tenure as Prime Minister, as he seeks to leave a lasting impact on Japan's international relationships and commitments.