Broadcasters gave top coverage to reports on President Biden’s visit to Japan (NHK, Fuji TV), a gradual decline in COVID-19 cases across the country (NTV) and an update on the Yamaguchi resident who was arrested for allegedly gambling away most of the 46.3 million yen ($359,000) in COVID-19 relief payments that was erroneously deposited into his account (TV Asahi). 

Mainichi and Yomiuri led with reports that President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida agreed during their summit to strengthen the deterrence capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and Kishida told the President that Japan’s defense budget will be increased. Asahi, Sankei, and Nikkei gave top play to President Biden’s remark in the joint press conference after the summit that the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a contingency.