Japan to Join Biden’s Proposed Economic Framework, Increase Defense Budget

Japan to Join Biden’s Proposed Economic Framework, Increase Defense Budget
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a press conference in Tokyo on April 8, 2022. Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFP via Getty Images
Aldgra Fredly
Updated:

Japan will join the Indo–Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) proposed by President Joe Biden’s administration to push back against China’s growing economic influence in the region, a government official said May 18.

“We welcome the IPEF as an embodiment of active commitment by the United States to the Indo–Pacific region and thus we are positively considering our participation,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said, according to Kyodo News.