Japan’s Kishida pleads with US to overcome ‘self-doubt’ of global role

Japan’s leader on Thursday issued a passionate plea for Republicans in Congress not to turn away from America’s role as a leader on the world stage, in the face of anxiety over GOP stonewalling of aid for Ukraine and growing isolationism under the influence of former President Trump. 

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, addressing a joint meeting of Congress, was blunt in his criticism that lawmakers are suffering from “self-doubt” at a time when U.S. leadership is most needed. 

“You believed that freedom is the oxygen of humanity. The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations,” Kishida said. 

“And yet, as we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be.”

It was the first speech by a foreign leader presided over by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is overseeing a conference in chaos, with a small group of GOP lawmakers frequently blocking efforts to legislate based on their own criticisms. 

At Kishida’s words, Vice President Harris, sitting next to Johnson, was seen picking up a copy of the prime minister’s speech and beginning to follow along. 

Kishida’s government has drawn a direct line between supporting Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia as essential in deterring China from launching aggression against Taiwan and triggering a war in East Asia.

“As I often say, Ukraine of today may be East Asia of tomorrow,” he said. At this line, while Harris and other members stood and applauded, Johnson remained seated. 

Earlier, Kishida laid out the stakes.

“China’s current external stance and military actions present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the pace and security of Japan, but to the peace and stability of the international community at large.”

Kishida’s plea spoke to rare agreement on both sides of the aisle in Congress recognizing China as the priority threat to the present, U.S.-led global order. 

His invitation to address a joint meeting of Congress, during his state visit with President Biden, demonstrates strong support among Republicans and Democrats for Washington’s ties with Tokyo. 

But Kishida’s appeal was aimed directly at Republicans who view U.S. engagement on the world stage as a trade-off to focusing on problems at home.

The small group of GOP isolationists have exercised outsized influence on the conference and the Congress. They have, for months, blocked efforts to hold a vote on additional aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, demanding policy changes on the U.S. southern border but rejecting bipartisan solutions to those problems. 

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who has threatened to trigger a vote to oust Johnson if he brings Ukraine aid to a vote on the floor, was seen not clapping and looking at her phone during various references to Ukraine in Kishida’s speech. 

“I want to address those Americans who feel the loneliness and exhaustion of being the country that has upheld the international order almost single-handedly,” Kishida said.

“I am here to say that Japan is already standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States. You are not alone. We are with you.” His remarks received a standing ovation from Johnson, Harris and the audience. 

The U.S. is Japan’s only mutual-defense treaty ally, making American power the only defense against a provocative China and nuclear-armed North Korea. 

But Japan is undergoing a major shift, investing more in its military. That is being praised by the Biden administration, which is elevating Tokyo to a priority partner in ensuring security in the Indo-Pacific. 

And with Kishida’s state visit, the Biden administration is newly describing Japan as a “global partner,” recognizing its contributions in support for Ukraine, its sanctions against Russia, its role in the United Nations and efforts at diplomacy and humanitarian support on conflicts in the Middle East. 

“We first became a regional partner of the United States, and now we have become your global partner,” Kishida said. “Never has our relationship been so close, our vision and approach so united.”

Kishida’s speech built on the prime minister’s efforts to redefine Japan’s position on the global stage.

Born in Hiroshima, Kishida is an advocate for nuclear nonproliferation. But he is continuing policies started by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, asserting Japan as a defensive military power. Kishida served as Abe’s foreign minister and described him as “a close friend of mine.”

Among the approximate 70 agreements signed by the U.S. and Japan during the state visit are new military initiatives among Washington, Tokyo and partners in the region, including the Philippines and Australia. This includes building an integrated air defense network; new and more joint military drills; intelligence sharing; and partnerships on technology research and development around quantum computing and artificial intelligence. 

A senior administration official earlier described the shift in the U.S.-Japan relationship as one of “alliance protection” to “alliance projection.”

“I want you to know how seriously Japan takes its role as the United States’s closest ally,” Kishida said. 

“We are your global partner today, and we are your global partner for the future,” he said to applause.

“Thank you for inviting me, thank you for your hospitality, and thank you for the role you play the world. Arigatou.”

Mychael Schnell contributed to this report.

Updated at 12:30 p.m.