JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida received a big round of applause from American officials as he hailed their strengthening bilateral ties. Tensions with China were also put under the spotlight during a three-way summit with the United States and the Philippines.
“The world needs the United States to continue its role in the affairs of nations.”
This statement earned Kishida a massive round of applause, in a speech that made him the second Japanese leader to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress on Thursday.
The Japanese Prime Minister also reminded lawmakers of the leading role it played globally since World War II and how it is losing its grip on power.
Kishida also attended the first-ever three-way summit with the United States and the Philippines where the trio voiced their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea. Beijing slammed the move and defended its actions as “lawful,’ while noting that behind a summit that seemed to promote “security” and “peace” lies an undercurrent of confrontation and conflict.
As Kishida savored the glory of the moment in Washington, Japanese residents back home portrayed a different story, indicating how the Japanese Prime Minister carried political problems of his own.
Japanese residents from all walks of life lamented how the deepening military ties with the United States could awaken the country’s history of military aggression.
They also expressed their distrust and dissatisfaction with Washington’s influence over Japan as it slowly transformed the East Asian country into a warring nation.
Kishida arrived in Washington on Monday as the White House finally completes hosting each leader of the Quad — an informal partnership between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia.
