Can Kishida Translate His Meeting with Biden into Momentum against Nuclear Arms?

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met virtually with U.S. President Joe Biden on Jan. 21, the first earnest meeting between the two since the former took office. The main outcome of this meeting was that both leaders shared their thoughts on how to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, with the prime minister highlighting the fact that he’s from Hiroshima. The question now is what the prime minister will do next. Statements calling for an abolition of nuclear arms is all well and good, but what’s needed most is a way to make the United States act.

Kishida made no mention of the “global think tank” he aims to form to find a way to reduce the number of nuclear weapons, which puts his resolve into question if it turns out America, a foremost nuclear power, declined to participate.

The first meeting of signatories to the U.N. Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons will take place in March. Although Japan is opposed to the treaty, as the sole victim of nuclear weapons, some are calling for Japan to participate as an observer state. Kishida, however, has been passive on the subject. While Japan bridges the gap between those with and without nuclear weapons, the notion that America’s “nuclear umbrella” is supposedly needed as a means of national security and that no nuclear powers will participate in the aforementioned think tank leaves its effectiveness in doubt.

Before this virtual meeting, though, both governments were in unison regarding the U.N. treaty and were affirming the duty of nuclear powers when it comes to reducing nuclear weapons. The prime minister must be more resolute if he truly desires an end to nuclear arms.

Whenever a new prime minister takes office, there are matters he must make clear with our ally, such as confirming the protection of Okinawa and the Senkaku Islands under our security treaty with America, and a swift resolution to the abduction issue with North Korea. Biden has supported us on all these issues. Moreover, both leaders agreed to establish new conferences headed by foreign and economic ministers in order to strengthen the bonds of our two countries regarding economic security and climate, and to stand strong together in the face of China.

However, one finds it puzzling that the prime minister dwells on issues, such as strengthening Japan’s defenses against North Korean missiles, while completely neglecting to bring up revising the Status of Forces Agreement that relates to American forces residing right within our borders.

Biden is expected to make a trip here this spring. Kishida cannot let this opportunity — to make Biden see the reality of the situation and to seek its resolution — slip through his fingers.