Biden, Japan PM boost defense ties with eye on China

WASHINGTON, United States — US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled their countries' biggest ever upgrade in defense ties Wednesday during a White House state visit focused on countering a resurgent China.

Biden rolled out the red carpet for Kishida with a lavish dinner, plus music by US singer Paul Simon, as he underscored Japan's importance as a key ally against Beijing in the Asia-Pacific region.

The two leaders even agreed that a Japanese astronaut will be the first non-American to walk on the Moon, as they sought to take the alliance to new heights.

"This is the most significant upgrade in our alliance since it was first established," Biden, 81, told a press conference with Kishida in the White House Rose Garden.

The two leaders unveiled plans to restructure the US military command in Japan, the biggest such change since the 1960s. The move is aimed at making US and Japanese forces more nimble in the event of threats, such as a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The United States, Japan and Australia would also launch a joint air defense network, while Britain would take part in military exercises with Washington and Tokyo.

US officials said the broader boost in ties was also aimed at reassuring allies of long-term support even if Donald Trump beats Biden in November's US presidential election.

The moves come amid tensions about Beijing's claims over both Taiwan and huge swathes of the South China Sea, despite efforts by Washington to reduce the risk of conflict.

Biden insisted that the military upgrade in China's backyard was purely defensive and "not aimed at any one nation or a threat to the region."

Kishida meanwhile called during the press conference for "peace and stability" across the Taiwan Straits.

"Unilateral attempts to change status quo by force or coercion is absolutely unacceptable, wherever it may be," the Japanese premier said.

Biden has made no bones about his desire to create alliances across the region to counter China.

On Thursday, he will host the first trilateral summit between Japan, the Philippines and the United States, aiming to deepen their alliances.

The pomp-filled state visit for Kishida was however