WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will forge new agreements with U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to the White House this week, while U.S. and Japanese businesses sign investment agreements and strengthen other ties.
Here are some of the most notable:
MILITARY MODERNIZATION
Japan and the United States are expected to announce plans to revamp their military alliance, including changes to U.S. military command in Japan and more joint development of defense equipment.
AUCUS, SOUTH CHINA SEA
Biden’s meeting with Kishida is expected to address Japan’s possible participation in advanced capabilities projects under the AUKUS security pact. The US, UK and Australia formed AUKUS in 2021 to fight back against China’s growing influence.
Meanwhile, more joint patrols in the South China Sea can be expected following exercises by the United States, Australia, the Philippines and Japan over the weekend, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday.
MICROSOFT AI
Microsoft (NASDAQ:) said Tuesday it will invest $2.9 billion over two years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Japan.
Also on Tuesday, the countries announced that four universities will collaborate on artificial intelligence research, funded by a $110 million private sector investment from NVIDIA (NASDAQ:), Amazon (NASDAQ:), Softbank (OTC:) Microsoft and other companies.
SPACE
Japan hopes to land its first astronaut on the moon as part of the US Project Artemis, which aims to return humans there by 2026, as competition with Russia and China intensifies.
BULLET TRAINS
The two leaders are also expected to discuss a bullet train project in Texas that will use Japanese technology and investment.