US strongly committed to Japan's defence, Biden tells Kishida

China, North Korea and Russia cited as threats to peace in the Indo-Pacific region

- Charissa Yong

WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have vowed to cooperate closely in the realms of defence and economics, calling their countries' alliance the cornerstone of peace in an increasingly tense Indo-Pacific region.

China loomed large throughout the summit, with both leaders stressing the threat that an increasingly assertive and muscular Beijing posed to the international order and regional stability.

"We are modernising our military alliance, building on Japan's historic increase in defence spending and new National Security Strategy," said Mr Biden on Friday, as he hosted Mr Kishida at the White House.

"Let me be crystal clear: The United States is fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance and, more importantly, to Japan's defence," he added.

The two countries also inked a deal to boost cooperation in the peaceful exploration of space, an agreement that comes as they plan for missions to the Moon and Mars.

Friday's summit at the White House capped Mr Kishida's weeklong tour of leading industrialised countries in the Group of Seven, of which Japan holds the rotating presidency this year.