U.S. President Joe Biden will host Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a state visit on April 10. This visit aims to strengthen the critical alliance between the United States and Japan, particularly in the context of countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the visit, there will be a formal state dinner, and the leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues in Asia. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, noted that improving cooperation with South Korea would be on the agenda.
The state visit also comes at a time when the federal government is reviewing the national security implications of Japan's Nippon Steel's plans to acquire U.S. Steel for approximately $14.1 billion. However, Kirby did not confirm whether this potential merger would be a specific topic of discussion during the meeting.