The White House has said that U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Japan and South Korea in May for bilateral summits with the nations leaders.
The administration's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific is set to be showcasing the administration's rock-solid commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to the White House in a statement on Wednesday.
The Japan stop will include a meeting of the leaders of the Quad grouping that includes India and Australia.
In Seoul, Biden will meet President Yoon Suk-yeol, the conservative political newcomer who will take office on May 10. The Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday that Biden will hold a summit with Yoon on May 21, with the U.S. leader remaining in the country until the following day.
Officials in Japan have not confirmed details about Biden's planned summit with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida or the meeting of the Quad leaders.
The White House said that the leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen our vital security relationships, increase economic ties, and expand our close cooperation to deliver practical results during the bilateral summits.
The trip s announcement comes amid a war in Ukraine, rising tensions with China and an increase in missile testing by North Korea.
It comes as Japan weighs dramatic changes in its security posture, with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party proposing doubling defense spending and changes to long-standing defense-oriented polices.