Mainichi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, and Sankei wrote that the governments of the United States and Japan are making arrangements for President Biden to visit Japan on May 22-24. According to the papers, the President is planning to arrive in Japan on May 22, hold talks with Prime Minister Kishida on May 23, and attend a Quad summit on May 24. The dailies noted that if Biden’s visit to Japan is realized, it will be his first trip to Asia as president. Yomiuri wrote that a meeting with the Emperor is also being arranged for President Biden. Sankei wrote that according to multiple GOJ sources, the governments of the United States and Japan are setting up a meeting for the President on May 23 with the families of the Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea.  

Nikkei speculated that in addition to cooperation in dealing with China’s intensifying hegemonic activities in the Indo-Pacific, responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda for the Quad summit. 

Yomiuri and Mainichi wrote that President Biden is also considering visiting South Korea, with Mainichi saying South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported on Tuesday that President Biden has begun making arrangements to go there after Japan. The South Korean daily noted that if President Biden’s trip to the nation is realized, Yoon Suk-yeol, who will take office as the president of South Korea on May 10, will hold his first in-person meeting with the U.S. leader.  

In related stories, Yomiuri and Nikkei wrote that Senator Hagerty told reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Kishida at the Kantei on Tuesday that President Biden’s planned trip to Japan next month will underscore the importance of the region to America. Yomiuri added, however, that the President’s diplomatic schedule is still fluid because it may become necessary to make adjustments in coordination with Australia, which is planning to hold a general election on May 21.