Suga early visit to US preview … “To meet Biden-elect quickly”

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga answers questions from journalists. [연합뉴스]

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide announced on the 4th that he would hold a summit meeting as soon as possible if Joe Biden takes office as the next president of the United States.

Prime Minister Suga explained the timing of his visit to the US at a press conference held at the Japanese Prime Minister’s residence on the same day, saying: “We agreed to meet as soon as possible while we observe the situation of the new infection by coronavirus (Corona 19) “. did. He added: “Specifically, nothing has been decided at this time, but I want to adjust it when it should be done.”

He also presented the results of last month’s phone conversations with Biden-elect. Prime Minister Suga emphasized: “It goes without saying that the alliance between Japan and the United States is a key pillar of Japanese diplomacy and security, and a solid foundation for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community”. Relations between Korea and Japan were not mentioned.

On the 3rd, an employee of a Japanese doll company displays laundry bats representing the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga. [AP=연합뉴스]

Regarding the dissolution of the House of Representatives and the timing of the general elections, Prime Minister Suga said: “My terms in the House of Representatives are until next fall, so I need to hold elections one day. I want to think it through while thinking about time constraints. “” First, stopping the spread of the Corona 19 infection and regenerating the economy is our top priority. First, I want to respond with all my might. ”

It is not easy to enter the general election phase in Japan, where more than 2,000 confirmed cases emerge every day in the “third propagation period.” This is because the political vacuum is unavoidable for a certain period of time and the risk of the electoral campaign period being extended is high. It is analyzed that Prime Minister Suga’s judgment is that, as he can generate a wind against public opinion, it is necessary to focus his capacity on suppressing the spread of the infection and saving the economy right now.

Prime Minister Suga said, “after confirming the safety and efficacy,” he said, “it is difficult to clarify the timing with the predictions at the present time,” regarding when to begin vaccination of the Corona 19 vaccine under development in every country and Japan.

Meanwhile, it did not reveal a clear position on whether to decide on new missile countermeasures, such as the ability to attack enemy bases, this year. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a speech before his retirement on September 11, saying: “Amid the harsh security environment, new measures need to be considered to defend Japan from threats such as ballistic missiles.” Urged.

However, when asked: ‘When will we conclude whether we will have the ability to attack enemy bases or not?’ At this point, I would like to refrain from responding with predictions about the review. ”

When asked if defense spending, which had risen for eight consecutive years during the Abe regime, would increase next year, he did not give a definitive answer, saying: “The government is currently under consideration.” However, he replied, “Based on the increasingly strict security environment, I want to constantly promote the maintenance of the defense power necessary to protect people’s lives and peaceful life.”

Reporter Baek Hee-yeon [email protected]