Japanese PM Kishida supports ‘indispensable’ global role of US, citing threat by China

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave a full-throated defence of the United States’ international role as guardian of democracy on Thursday to a rare joint session of Congress, citing the enormous challenge that China and other authoritarian states represents to the global order.

The 35-minute speech, following a bilateral summit with US President Joe Biden and a state dinner at the White House on Wednesday, covered a broad range of issues in sweeping language, ranging from authoritarian governance and rule of law to digital surveillance, nuclear non-proliferation and debt-trap diplomacy.

“Close coordination between Japan and the US is required more than ever to ensure that deterrence that our alliance provides remains credible and resilient,” Kishida said, speaking in English.

“China’s current external stance and military actions present the unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan, but to the peace and stability of the international community at large.”

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Beyond laying out the case for preserving and defending the post-World War II global order, Kishida backed Biden’s agenda as he faces domestic political opposition, including continuation of funding for Ukraine’s military against Russia’s invasion; the importance of bipartisanship; and the need to maintain global engagement at a time of instability.

“The Ukraine of today may be the East Asia of tomorrow,” he said, his speech interrupted repeatedly by applause and standing ovations.

“The leadership of the United States is indispensable. Without US support, how long before the hopes of Ukraine would collapse under the