Yomiuri wrote that according to several GOJ sources, Prime Minister Suga and President Biden will issue a joint statement on security issues at their summit meeting in Washington next week. The document will reportedly cover the U.S. defense commitment to the Senkaku Islands, the importance of creating a free and open Indo-Pacific, maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, realizing the denuclearization of North Korea, and reducing dependence on certain nations when rebuilding supply chains. This statement may also mention concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. 

President Biden and PM Suga are also expected to release two other statements—one on climate change and the other on economic cooperation. The climate change statement is likely to state the conclusion of a bilateral partnership pact and call for stronger coordination for developing and sharing technology to create a decarbonized society. In the statement on economic cooperation, the President and the prime minister are set to pledge greater partnership for infrastructure investment in developing countries, collaboration in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and bilateral coordination for rolling out 5G networks.  

In a related development, Nikkei reported on a meeting yesterday at the Kantei between PM Suga and Komeito Secretary General Ishii at which the premier projected that climate change and the establishment of a decarbonized society will be high on the agenda for the upcoming U.S.-Japan summit.  

Nikkei also wrote that Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato told the press on Tuesday that Japan will coordinate closely with the U.S. in building robust supply chains to ensure the nation’s economic security and protect Japanese corporate interests. The government spokesman made the comment in response to White House Press Secretary Psaki’s remark on Monday that the U.S. and Japan are committed to deepening mutual coordination in a variety of areas, including supply chains.