New U.S. Indo-Pacific commander vows to avoid great power conflict
New U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. John Aquilino pledged Friday to maintain a free and open region and provide the deterrence needed to prevent great power conflict amid China s growing assertiveness.
Calling the rules-based international order the foundation for the region to thrive and prosper, Aquilino said during a change of command ceremony in Hawaii to replace Adm. Philip Davidson that the environment the United States and its allies have created for decades is being challenged.
New U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. John Aquilino. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)(Kyodo)
Japan, U.S. to ink partnership deal on climate change
The Japanese and U.S. governments are arranging to sign a partnership deal on climate change when Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga meets with President Joe Biden later this month, diplomatic sources said Monday.
Tackling global warming is expected to be a focus of the April 16 meeting in Washington, along with affirming the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance and cooperation in efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific amid China s growing assertiveness in the region.
Combined photo shows U.S. President Joe Biden (R, Getty) and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (Kyodo)
Suga to join Biden in leading efforts to tackle climate change
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said Sunday he will closely cooperate with U.S. President Joe Biden in leading global efforts to tackle climate change.
The two leaders are scheduled to meet in Washington on April 16, while the White House said last month that Biden invited 40 world leaders to a virtual climate summit he will host on April 22 and 23.
Combined photo shows U.S. President Joe Biden (R, Getty) and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (Kyodo)
Suga has pledged to make Japan carbon neutral by 2050. I would like to jointly lead (such efforts with the United States), he told a television program.
Story highlights
Suga is now scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on April 16, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato confirmed on Friday.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga s visit to the United States has been delayed to mid-April from a proposed early April date.
Suga is now scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on April 16, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato confirmed on Friday.
Local media had reported the trip would take place next week, but Kato said the mid-April date would give both sides time to prepare.
The trip comes at a time of renewed focus on China s role in the region, as well as its alleged abuses of the Uighur minority and its crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
Japan, U.S. to hold security talks in response to China s coercion
TOKYO - Japanese and U.S. foreign and defense ministers are set to closely coordinate on steps to strengthen the bilateral alliance at security talks Tuesday in Tokyo as China puts forth increasingly coercive measures across the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are in Japan for the first Cabinet-level overseas trip under President Joe Biden s administration, looking to work with Tokyo in addressing China, which Washington describes as the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century.
From left: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Getty), Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi. (Kyodo)