2+2 Security Talks Today Ahead Of Biden/Kishida Meeting

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will host Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada at the US Department of State today for security talks under the 2+2 format.

• The ministerial consultations will be followed by a joint press conference at 17:00 ET 22:00 GMT.
• The talks are a key part of a drive by Tokyo to take a more active role in global diplomacy as Japan assumes the presidency of the G7 and a seat on the United Nations Security Council.
• Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is currently on a whistle-stop tour of G7 countries attempting to tighten defence ties as he prepares to legislate a pivot in Japanese defence spending which will shed Tokyo’s postwar doctrine of pacifism and transform Japan into a major international player in defence.
• Kishida will meet President Biden at the White House on Friday to discuss the new Japanese defence strategy.
• White House National Security Advisor called Japan's new security strategy "a bold and historic step" which will help "achieve lasting peace, stability and prosperity."