G7 Italy: The Apulia Summit

LEADERS’ VIEWS

Fumio Kishida Prime Minister, Japan

For the future: our global partnership

deterrence that our Alliance provides is stronger than ever, bolstered by U.S. extended deterrence for Japan. Japan has taken strong sanctions against Russia in the wake of its aggression against Ukraine. We have announced over $12 billion in aid to Ukraine, including anti-drone detection systems. This is part of NATO’s [North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s] aid package, and, yes, we are even working with NATO on the other side of the world from us. I might add that in February, to help a devastated Ukraine get through these agonizing times, I hosted the conference for Ukraine’s economic growth and reconstruction. Japan will continue to stand with Ukraine. As the geopolitical landscape changed and as Japan grew in confidence, we expanded our outlook beyond that of being America’s closest ally… Today, our partnership goes beyond the bilateral. Examples include trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, and the Philippines as well as cooperation through the G7 and with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]. The three leaders of the U.S., the Republic of Korea and Japan convened at Camp David last summer to inaugurate a new era of our partnership. From these various endeavors emerges a multi-layered regional framework where our Alliance serves as a force multiplier. And, together with these likeminded countries, we are working to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific … I am embarking on a set of initiatives called a New Form of Capitalism to drive the Japanese economy. The public and private sectors are joining hands to transform the social challenges we face into engines of growth. Wage increases, capital investment, stock prices – all have attained levels not seen for thirty years. The Japanese economy is now making strides by capitalizing on these unprecedented and major changes. A growth-oriented Japanese economy should also spur even greater investment in the United States. And we can then help boost the global economy to steer it toward a strong growth trajectory in the years to come. Address to a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress, 11 April 2024

O ur world is at history’s turning point. The post–Cold War era is already behind us, and we are now at an inflection point that will define the next stage of human history. The international order that the U.S. worked for generations to build is facing new challenges, challenges from those with values and principles very different from ours. Freedom and democracy are currently under threat around the globe. Climate change has caused natural disasters, poverty, and displacement on a global scale. In the COVID-19 pandemic, all humanity suffered. Rapid advances in AI [artificial intelligence] technology have resulted in a battle over the soul of AI that is raging between its promise and its perils. The balance of economic power is shifting. The Global South plays a greater role in responding to challenges and opportunities and calls for a larger voice. Turning to Japan’s own neighborhood, China’s current

remains a critical issue. North Korea’s provocations have [an] impact beyond the region. It has also exported its ballistic missiles to support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, greatly increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Russia’s unprovoked, unjust, and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine has entered its third year. As I often say, Ukraine of today may be the East Asia of tomorrow. Furthermore, Russia continues to threaten the use of nuclear weapons, which has contributed to worldwide concern that yet another catastrophe by nuclear weapon use is a real possibility. In this reality, close coordination between Japan and the U.S. is required more than ever to ensure that the deterrence our Alliance provides remains credible and resilient. New forms of oppression are being imposed on the world. Freedom is being suppressed through digital technologies. Social media is censored, monitored, and controlled. There are growing cases of

economic coercion and the so-called “debt trap” diplomacy, whereby the economic dependency of nations is exploited and weaponized. Facing such rapidly-changing pressures, how do we continue to safeguard our common values? … Japan has changed over the years. We have transformed ourselves from a reticent ally, recovering from

external stance and military actions present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan but to the peace and stability of the international community at large. While such a challenge from China continues, our commitment

to upholding a free and open international order based on the rule of law, as well as peace, will continue to be the defining agenda going forward. As a Hiroshima native, I have devoted my political career to bringing about a world without nuclear weapons. For years, I have worked to revitalize the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime so that we can gain momentum in pursuit of the aspiration. But there exists an imminent danger of nuclear weapons proliferation in East Asia. North Korea’s nuclear and missile program is a direct threat. The issue of abductions by North Korea

the devastation of World War II, to a strong, committed ally, looking outward to the world. Japan has transformed its national security strategy. Uncertainty about the future stability of the Indo-Pacific region caused us to change our policies and our very mindset. I myself have stood at the forefront in making our bilateral alliance even stronger. In 2022, we announced that we would secure a substantial increase of our defense budget by FY [fiscal year] 2027 to 2% of GDP [gross domestic product], possess counterstrike capabilities, and improve cybersecurity. Today, the

G7 ITALY: THE APULIA SUMMIT — 2024

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