Prime Minister Kishida of Japan recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Newsweek to discuss the major takeaways from his recent visit to the United States and the historic changes he is overseeing in his nation’s military, economic, and diplomatic strategies. He emphasized the importance of fortifying Japan’s alliance with the U.S. and expanding regional ties while also addressing challenges in the military buildup, economic difficulties, and diplomatic uncertainties. During his visit to the U.S., Kishida confirmed the strong bond between Japan and the U.S. in various areas, including security, economy, and advanced science and technology.
Kishida highlighted his leadership priorities, which include addressing the challenges facing Japan’s economy, security, and diplomatic issues. He discussed the economic reforms aimed at creating a growth-oriented economy and navigating uncertainties in a rapidly changing global landscape. In terms of security, Kishida emphasized the need to strengthen defense capabilities given the challenging security environment in the region, especially with countries developing military capabilities and attempting to change the status quo through force.
The prime minister spoke about the importance of Japan’s revised National Security Strategy, emphasizing the need to create a favorable environment for diplomacy while strengthening defense capabilities to protect the nation. He stressed the importance of cooperation with the U.S., allies, and like-minded countries to improve deterrence and response capabilities in the region. Kishida also addressed concerns regarding North Korea’s nuclear and missile developments, expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue while closely working with allies to address the situation.
Kishida discussed Japan’s relationship with China and the need to assert core issues while valuing dialogue and cooperation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and addressing cross-strait issues peacefully through dialogue. The prime minister refrained from commenting on Japan’s role in a Taiwan contingency but stressed the importance of conveying the peace-focused approach to China.
In addressing Japan’s economic challenges, including population decline and aging, Kishida highlighted efforts to revitalize the economy through policies focusing on child and child-rearing initiatives, digitalization, and efficiency measures. He discussed the importance of inviting highly capable workers from overseas to address labor shortages, outlining a systematic approach to welcoming foreign nationals. Additionally, Kishida emphasized the importance of investing in green and digital transformations to maintain the competitiveness of Japanese companies on a global scale.
The prime minister emphasized the importance of raising disposable income to combat rising prices and exit deflation. Kishida highlighted policies aimed at increasing wages, reducing taxes, and redirecting financial assets to corporate investments to create a virtuous cycle in the Japanese economy. He underscored the need for good communication between the government and the Bank of Japan to achieve economic stability and address uncertainties such as weak yen and geopolitical challenges.
