[1] This underscores the defence and security nature of the summit and the importance of the Japan-US Security Alliance, as Kishida’s visit was the first by a Japanese leader in nine years. Ultimately, the latest Japan-US summit, which represents a continuation of a larger trend of shift in Japan’s security posture, shows the importance of the Japan-US Security Alliance and Japan’s determination to uphold and bolster a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and rules-based international order with like-minded countries. [4] ‘Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders’ Statement:(“Global Partners for the Future”)’ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan), accessed 11 April 2024, https://www.mofa.go.jp/na/na1/us/pageite_000001_00259.html. [7] ‘Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders’ Statement’. [10] See Aksoy, C. “Japan’s New Security Policy” https://www0.sun.ac.za/japancentre/2023/06/29/japans-new-security-policy/[11] ‘Japan-U.S. Joint Leaders’ Statement’.
