By Trevor Hunnicutt

TOKYO (Reuters – U.S. president Joe Biden is in Japan to initiate a regional economic strategy to combat China. Biden also met with Emperor Naruhito to begin his Monday visit.

Biden’s two-day tour, which will include meetings with Australia, Japan and India leaders, the “Quad,” is anchored by Monday’s rollout of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. It provides the economic foundation for the US engagement with Asia.

Biden arrived in the palace where Naruhito met him. The two men exchanged pleasantries before being ushered into the building, each wearing white masks.

Biden will call the Emperor and then meet with Fumio Kishida, the Japanese Prime Minister. The two countries are likely to discuss Japan’s plans for expanding its military capability in order to counter China’s increasing might.

These two allies will also be expected to renew their closeness in light of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. They will agree that unilateral changes to the status quo are not acceptable.

Asia is becoming more worried about China’s assertiveness, especially in view of Russia’s close ties. Tensions have been increasing around Taiwan which China regards as a rebel province.

North Korea and other regional issues will be discussed. Biden also has a meeting scheduled for Monday to speak with the families members of Japanese kidnapped years ago by North Korea to learn from them.