Host Peruvian President Boluarte greets Japanese PM Ishiba at APEC on November 15. (©Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister)
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba believes the alliance between Japan and the United States is the linchpin of security in Asia. During a historic meeting with Joe Biden in Peru over the November 15-17 weekend, he received reassurance from the US president that the relationship has become "stronger than ever."
Both leaders spoke of the vital link between freedom and democracy. Their remarks were especially significant following elections in which their political parties lost support from voters.
Despite the Liberal Democratic Party's setback in October's election in Japan, Mr Ishiba represents the nation on the international stage. It is his duty to explain policies and values at international events, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting in Lima.
Global Partnerships
Mr Ishiba said it is always in the best interests of democratic countries to work closely in partnership with nations that share common values.
For Japan, South Korea is an important neighbor, so Mr Ishiba prioritized meetings with President Yoon Suk-yeol. They held a short bilateral summit and a three-way discussion with Joe Biden.
When the South Korean president took to the podium at the Lima Convention Center, he congratulated Mr Biden on his efforts to maintain peace and freedom in the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Yoon also spoke warmly towards Japan.
He said: "Since the Camp David Leaders' Summit [in 2023] led by President Biden, our trilateral cooperation has become and is becoming stronger every day. I want to extend my gratitude for President Biden's leadership."
Standing beside the US President and the Japanese Prime Minister, the South Korean leader continued:
"Today's meeting demonstrates the three countries' strong commitment to developing our trilateral cooperation continuously. Amid complex global crises, cooperation between the ROK, the US, and Japan not only coincides with the national interest of all three countries but is also essential for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."
North Korea Issues
Mr Yoon warned that the recent deployment of North Korean troops to assist Russia in the war with Ukraine marks a worrying new development. He said it is another reminder of the importance of trilateral cooperation.
Later, the three leaders announced the establishment of the Trilateral Coordinating Secretariat. It will focus on policies toward North Korea, including its missile tests, nuclear program, and abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
In a press conference in October, Prime Minister Ishiba stated: "I am firmly committed to ensuring the abductees swiftly return home."
Dialogue in Tokyo
A photograph of Mr Ishiba shaking hands with a smiling Mr Biden in Lima trended online just as members of a delegation from America took their seats in Tokyo for a forum known as the Mount Fuji Dialogue.
The keynote speaker was Mark T Esper. He has impressive credentials, as a successful high-tech executive and a member of Donald Trump's cabinet during his first presidency. He served as US Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2020.
Mr Esper told the conference: "As China becomes more aggressive, we must both build our respective militaries, economies, and diplomatic muscle, while also improving these ties between us, and with other regional allies and partners. Enhanced capability and cooperation, built on principle and with resolve, will be key to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific."
The tone of Mr Esper's speech complemented remarks in a video address delivered by Prime Minister Ishiba.
He said: "Japan now faces one of the most severe and complex security environments after the end of World War II, and I believe the same can be said for other regions around the world as well. In this context, the Japan-US Alliance serves as the cornerstone of Japan's diplomacy and security, as well as a vital foundation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the broader international community."
Talking with China
Mark Esper said that we are living in an era of global competition between autocracies and democracies. In his view, the democracies should be led by the US. He also said that it is essential that no big authoritarian neighbor should ever invade a smaller country.
Such topics were mentioned during an encounter between Prime Minister Ishiba and the Chinese leader Xi Jinping. This meeting also took place over the weekend, at the APEC meeting in Peru.
Prime Minister Ishiba stated that Japan is closely monitoring China's military activities and stressed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are extremely important for the international community, including Japan.
In October, China conducted a simulated blockade of Taiwan during a large-scale military drill.
President Xi told Prime Minister Ishiba that he hopes Japan will "properly handle" major issues such as history and Taiwan.
Competition, Not Conflict
Xi Jinping also spoke with Joe Biden in Peru, in what was likely to be their last encounter as presidents. Xi said that a stable relationship with Washington would remain China's priority following the inauguration of Donald Trump in January.
"China is ready to work with the new US administration to maintain communication, expand cooperation and manage differences," Xi said.
President Biden said strategic competition between the two global powers should not escalate into war.
"Our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict. That is our responsibility, and over the last four years I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship," he said.
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Author: Duncan Bartlett, Diplomatic Correspondent
Mr Bartlett is the Diplomatic Correspondent for JAPAN Forward and a Research Associate at the SOAS China Institute. Read his other articles and essays.
