Biden Continues ROK Tour Before Japanese Defence Announcement

President Biden will conclude his tour of South Korea tomorrow before travelling to Japan for a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida after which Kishida is expected to announce a significant increase in Japanese defence spending.

• Western newswires have picked up a story from Japanese broadcaster Asahi reporting that Kishida will consider doubling defence spending to the 2% of GDP baseline of NATO members.
• Nikkei Asia: 'With war raging in Ukraine and tensions rising in East Asia, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that Japan will become a "laughing stock" if it doesn't lift its defense budget in line with NATO countries.'
• In Tokyo, Biden will also officially unveil the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The new scheme to boost US economic presence in the region and counter China's influence has received a lukewarm reception in Asia.
• Andrew Haffner of Al Jazeera writes: 'While many of China’s regional neighbours share Washington’s concerns about the burgeoning superpower’s ambitions, the IPEF’s lack of clear trade provisions could make it an uninspiring prospect for potential members, especially in Southeast Asia.'