Japan Prime Minister Biden's First Guest With Push On 5G, Climate, China

Opening his visit by meeting Vice President Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga echoed Biden's language in saying the nations' relationship is "connected by universal values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law."

Japan's prime minister began the first summit of Joe Biden's presidency Friday with the allies expected to signal progress on 5G technology and climate change amid a concerted US push to compete with China. Opening his visit by meeting Vice President Kamala Harris, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga echoed Biden's language in saying the nations' relationship is "connected by universal values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law." "This is a time like no other in which the Japan-US alliance needs to be strong," Suga said. Biden's decision to invite Suga as his first guest -- with South Korean President Moon Jae-in set to come in May -- is meant to show the value his administration puts on allies as he zeroes in on a rising China as America's most pressing challenge.