Biden Expected to Meet Japan's Kishida in Washington in January

As soon as January 13, US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are anticipated to meet in Washington, a person involved in the planning told Reuters on Tuesday.

The summit between Washington and its important Asian ally comes as US partners in the region are alarmed by North Korea's missile tests and calls for a stronger nuclear arsenal.

The largest military build-up in Japan since World War Two was unveiled in December, and Kishida plans to talk about Tokyo's new security strategy, according to a story last week in the Japanese Yomiuri daily newspaper, which cited numerous unnamed Japanese government officials.

The meeting's agenda was not made public, so the White House declined to comment. The Japanese embassy also declined to provide a timeframe.

When Biden visited Japan in May, he praised Kishida's commitment to enhancing the country's defence capabilities.

Japan's $320 billion defence budget includes missiles that can strike China, preparing the nation for a protracted confrontation amid worries that China may feel emboldened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine to move against Japan's neighbour and self-governing Taiwan.