Japan, U.S. agree to work closely on China issues, for Taiwan peace

The top diplomats of Japan and the United States agreed Friday that the two countries will cooperate closely in dealing with issues relating to China and on the importance of peace and stability around Taiwan.

Following a meeting in Washington, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa also told reporters that she agreed with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to work toward the "success" of a state visit later this year to the U.S. capital by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Kamikawa, however, stopped short of indicating when the visit, that she said is aimed at furthering Japan's partnership with the United States in "all areas," may take place, pointing out a schedule is still being fleshed out.

Sources close to bilateral relations said in late December the visit could take place in early March.

The meeting was held just a day before Taiwan's presidential election, which could have serious implications for the island's relations with China, other Asian countries and the United States.

While confirming more steps will be taken to enhance the alliance's deterrence and response capabilities, Kamikawa said both sides "underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and urged a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues."

Blinken said the alliance is "truly the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific," reaching "new heights" in recent years "where we're working together not only on a bilateral basis or a regional basis but on a genuine global basis."

As they began talks, he noted the longtime partnership with Japan is built on "shared values," adding, "We're together in good times and in challenging times."

It was the first time Kamikawa held talks in Washington with Blinken since assuming her post in September. Blinken had just returned from a weeklong tour of the Middle East that included stops in Egypt, Israel and the West Bank.

Blinken's trip to the region was his fourth since the Palestinian militant group Hamas carried out the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that led to its ongoing assault in the Gaza Strip.

Kamikawa arrived in Washington late Thursday after visiting Ukraine and other European countries including Finland, Poland and the Netherlands.

On the heels of these visits, the two top diplomats reaffirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to work closely in hopes of containing the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Kamikawa said they discussed the situation in the Red Sea after the U.S. and British militaries on Thursday conducted strikes against more than 60 targets in Yemen used by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, in response to a series of recent attacks on international vessels transiting one of the world's most vital waterways.

Before sitting down with Blinken, Kamikawa held talks with other U.S. officials on Friday, meeting separately with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.