Biden reinforces Japan ties, unveils Asia trade initiative

President Joe Biden met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo ahead of the unveiling of a multinational trade initiative Monday as part of his push to reinvigorate US strategic power across Asia.

Fresh from a three-day visit to another key US ally, South Korea, Biden praised Tokyo as a "key global leader" for joining US-led pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

"The US-Japanese alliance has long been a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the United States remains fully committed to Japan's defence," Biden said after discussions with Kishida.

"We will face the challenges today and in the future together."

US officials describe Japan and South Korea as linchpins in Washington's pushback against rising Chinese commercial and military power, as well as partners in a Western-led alliance to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Washington is keen to show it has not been distracted by the Ukraine crisis, and Kishida welcomed Biden's visit despite the ongoing war.

"Your visit to Japan at this time illustrates that whatever the situation is, the United States will continue to strengthen its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region," the Japanese leader said.

Hanging over every step of Biden's Asia tour is fear that unpredictable North Korea will test a nuclear-capable missile or a bomb.

Speculation that this might even happen while Biden was just across the border in Seoul did not materialise over the weekend.