President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan to discuss the policy issues and global challenges that Japan and the United States will face together. They discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance and affirmed its importance as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders also discussed the United States’ unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan under Article 5 of our security treaty, which includes the Senkaku Islands.

President Biden reaffirmed to the Prime Minister his commitment to provide extended deterrence to Japan. They discussed regional security issues, including China and North Korea. They together affirmed the necessity of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the early resolution of the abductions issue. They committed to working together on our response to curb the global COVID-19 pandemic, address climate change, and advance our shared values, global security and prosperity.