Tokyo is accelerating preparations for building ties with the next administration in Washington, as former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election has become certain.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga hopes to visit the United States and hold his first summit meeting with Biden as soon as possible after the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20 next year.
"I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations" to Biden, Suga said in front of reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday morning. "I want to work with the United States to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."
The government plans to build a pipeline mainly through senior officials of the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama in which Biden served as vice president.
With the help of the Japanese Embassy in Washington, Tokyo is collecting information on the possible nominees and other senior staff for positions in the next U.S. administration.
Regarding the timing for a call with Biden and a visit to the United States, Suga said, "Nothing has been decided at this point, but we would like to coordinate the right timing."
The first summit meetings between Japan and the United States after the inauguration of a new president were held in Washington on Feb. 24, 2009, with Obama and Feb. 10, 2017, with U.S. President Donald Trump. Suga will aim to realize a summit meeting at an early stage while adjusting his schedule in accordance with next year's ordinary Diet session.
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