Japanese Prime Minister Kishida: "The US and allied countries will visit as early as possible and invite leaders"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by AP]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that he will visit the United States and other allied countries as early as possible and invite the leaders of these countries, saying he will "actively promote summit diplomacy," according to NHK and other media reports on the 1st.

According to the reports, Prime Minister Kishida said this at a press conference held at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters on the same day. He mentioned that he will attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) summit and emphasized, "We will uphold the banner of carbon neutrality by 2050 and demonstrate leadership for carbon zero emissions across Asia."

Kishida is coordinating a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the occasion of attending COP26. He is also pushing for a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Since President Moon Jae-in will also attend this conference, attention is focused on whether the first face-to-face summit between Japan and South Korea leaders will take place since the Kishida Cabinet was formed.

Regarding the revision of the "National Security Strategy," which he ordered, Kishida explained, "It will be thoroughly discussed at the National Security Council (NSC), and we will respond with a sense of urgency to new challenges such as missile defense capabilities, advanced technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), space, and cyber." The National Security Strategy, which is the framework for diplomatic and security policies, was drafted in December 2013 during the second Abe Shinzo administration, and Kishida has expressed his intention to revise it.

On constitutional revision, he stated, "It is very important to deepen more specific discussions in the National Diet and increase the number of supporters, but at the same time, we cannot overlook raising public understanding and cooperation," emphasizing that he is unlikely to rush the constitutional amendment process.

Kishida also announced plans to begin the third round of COVID-19 vaccinations starting next month and to prepare an economic measure worth tens of trillions of yen within this month, aiming to pass a related supplementary budget in the Diet within the year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.