Japan PM Leaves On Tour Of European, North American Allies

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on December 16, 2022, addressing some topics such as National Security Strategy, political and social issues facing Japan in today's World crisis. David Mareuil/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo  

Reuters: Japan's Kishida set to talk military buildup, chips on G7 tour 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida starts a tour of key Western partners on Monday, after unveiling his country's biggest military buildup since World War Two as Tokyo weighs steps to counter China's growing power. 

Kishida, who will host a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers in May, will meet leaders of the United States, Britain, France, Italy and Canada this week. 

Talks are expected to range from economic security and semiconductors to the war in Ukraine and rising tensions with nuclear-armed China and North Korea. 

"As leader of the G7 chair this year, I'll be making this visit to reaffirm our thinking on a number of issues," Kishida told a Sunday news programme. 

 "With the United States, we'll discuss deepening our bilateral alliance and how to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific."  

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Update #1: Kishida highlights security concerns on trip to Europe, US -- AP  

Update #2: Japan PM Leaves On Tour Of European, North American Allies -- AFP  

WNU Editor: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has quite a trip. Europe, Canada, and then the US.