Japanese PM Kishida to visit US early in year-Tokyo's US envoy

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make an official visit to the United States early this year, Japan's ambassador to Washington Shigeo Yamada said in remarks issued on Thursday. Kishida said in November that Biden had invited him for a formal state visit in early 2024.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will make an official visit to the United States early this year, Japan's ambassador to Washington Shigeo Yamada said in remarks issued on Thursday. In pre-recorded remarks to an event hosted by the Wilson Center think tank, Yamada said: "2024 will be a pivotal year for Japan-U.S. relations, with an official visit by Prime Minister Kishida taking place early in the year."

Japan's Yomiuri newspaper last week cited diplomatic sources from both nations as saying that they were working to reschedule a summit in Washington between Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden around April 10. Kishida said in November that Biden had invited him for a formal state visit in early 2024.