David Brunnstrom and Kiyoshi Takenaka by Michael Martina

WASHINGTON/TOKYO, (Reuters) – The U.S. President Joe Biden met with Fumio Kimio, the Japanese Prime Minister, to discuss pressing security and economic issues. This included North Korea’s missiles, Russia’s threats to Ukraine, and China’s.

Following “two-plus-two” discussions in which long-time allies defense and foreign ministers expressed strong concern over China’s increasing might, the online meeting was their first substantive talks. They also pledged to respond to any destabilizing activities in the Indo-Pacific.

Kishida claimed that Biden and he have agreed to co-operate to create a free Indo-Pacific. They will also work together on China’s missile issues and Ukraine.

Biden will also be visiting Japan to host the meeting of the Quad Grouping, which consists of Australia, Japan, Australia, and the United States.

Biden accepted the invitation and indicated his intention to visit in late spring, a senior U.S. administration official said, adding that one of the aims of the Quad meeting would be to review progress of a pledge to supply a billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to Southeast Asia by the end of 2022 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-says-delivering-vaccine-pledge-asia-key-quad-credibility-2021-10-20.

Kishida stated that he and Biden had also reached an agreement to create an economic “two-plus two” ministerial in order to encourage economic cooperation. According to the U.S. official, this will focus on technology investments and supply chain management, as well as standards-setting and export control.

Kishida stated that they had agreed to cooperate to promote cooperation between like-minded nations to create a free Indo-Pacific. “We committed to close cooperation on China-related topics, including the East, South China Seas, Hong Kong, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and North Korea’s missile and nuclear issues.

Biden said that he would cooperate closely with Kishida to prevent Russia from invading Ukraine. He also stated that he will “keep close contacts with other allies” and maintain communication on the subject of any attacks.”In a tweet, Biden said it was “an honor to meet with Prime Minister Kishida to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan Alliance — the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.”

The White House stated that Biden was happy with Kishida’s decision not to raise defense spending, and it “understood” the necessity of continuing these important investments.

They said they stressed cybersecurity’s importance and resolved to “push back” against China’s efforts to alter the status quo at the East and South China Seas.

Reporters were told by a U.S. official that U.S.-Japan cooperation was “full display” during the virtual session, which lasted approximately 90 minutes.

They had an “in-depth conversation” about China. He said they shared concerns over China’s intimidation of its neighbors, and took “predatory” trade steps. Kishida expressed concern about China’s nuclear buildup.

According to the White House, the North Korean leaders had condemned the recent launch of ballistic missiles. A U.S. official stated that Biden made it clear Washington will work with Japan and South Korea in order to prevent any “possible provocations” from following.

North Korea launched tactical guided missiles (TMM) this week as part of its latest series of launches. On Thursday, it warned that it may reconsider a moratorium for nuclear and intercontinental missile (ICBM), tests.

A U.S. official stated that Biden and Kishida had held a “substantial” conversation about how the United States should play an active part in Asia trade and commerce architecture.

Although the Biden administration was criticised for not having an economic pillar in its strategy for Asia following Donald Trump’s departure from the regional trade system now called CPTPP, it is wary about returning to a deal that some claim threatens U.S. job opportunities.

According to a top U.S. diplomat for China, Washington wants “common objectives” in economic cooperation with Indo Pacific countries by early 2022.

According to the Chinese embassy Japan, a Saturday statement stated that Biden and Kishida’s meeting in video made “groundless criticisms” of China. The statement also claimed that Japan had “grossly interfered in” its internal affairs and that Biden was “grossly intruding.”

“We encourage Japan and the United States, to continue following the trend of times and abandon narrow policies that are zero-sum and beggar thy-neighbor. We also urge them not to interfere in China’s internal affairs or draw any small circles based upon ideologies.

After other meetings involving Indo-Pacific leaders, the summit on Friday was followed by talks between Japan’s and France’s two-plus-two negotiations on Thursday and Australian and British defense and foreign ministers Friday.

Last year, Biden hosted the first Quad summit in person. The leaders pledged to promote a free Indo-Pacific and unaffected by any coercion.

China has increased its military and diplomatic pressures to claim Taiwan as its sovereign territory.

Kishida stated this week that Japan will strengthen its defenses on islands close to Taiwan. These comments follow a October promise to review security strategy and to take into account “all options”, including the possession of enemy-strike capability.