Biden and Kishida Strengthen U.S. - Japan Alliance

US President Joe Biden hailed "unbreakable" US-Japanese ties as he hosted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a White House state visit featuring a major upgrade in defense ties against a resurgent China.

Welcoming the Japanese leader in a pomp-filled ceremony in spring sunshine on the South Lawn of the White House, Biden said "the partnership between us is unbreakable."

"The alliance between Japan and the United States is a cornerstone of peace, security, prosperity, in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Ours is truly a global partnership," he added.

Speaking in front of lines of US service members in ceremonial dress, Biden also hailed Japan's growing global role including support for Ukraine against Russia's "vicious" invasion.

Kishida replied by referencing the thousands of cherry blossom trees that Japan gave to the United States more than a century ago, and now bloom every springtime in Washington.

"I am confident that the cherry blossom-like bond of the Japan-US alliance will continue to grow even bigger and stronger," the Japanese premier said.

Behind all the ceremony is serious business with the two leaders set to unveil plans to restructure the US military command in Japan -- the biggest boost to defense cooperation since the 1960s, with a wary eye on China.

Biden and Kishida met in the Oval Office after the formal welcome to discuss what officials said were up to 70 agreements on cooperation in defense, space and technology.

The visit reinforced the importance that Biden places on building alliances against China but also Beijing's allies Russia, North Korea and Iran, in an increasingly uncertain world rocked by wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

Kishida is the first Japanese leader to get a US state visit since Shinzo Abe in 2015, and only the fifth world leader to receive one since Biden took office in 2021.