U.S. aims to bolster front against China at talks with leaders of Japan, Philippines

Biden hosts Japan and Philippines leaders to strengthen economic and defense ties, counter China's influence in the region.

U.S. President Joe Biden hosts the leaders of Japan and the Philippines this week to boost economic and defence ties as the allies seek to offset China's growing might and manage risks ranging from North Korea to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Mr. Biden's bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday will bring an upgrade in defence ties with Japan, Washington's cornerstone ally in the Indo-Pacific region and an increasingly important global partner.

Mr. Kishida, beleaguered at home, will be greeted in America with great fanfare, with Japanese flags already festooning Washington lampposts and a glittering White House dinner with some 200 guests.

On Thursday, he will become only the second Japanese leader to address a joint meeting of Congress after his assassinated predecessor Shinzo Abe gave a speech in 2015.

Political analysts say visit is a chance for Mr. Kishida to boost dire domestic popularity ratings ahead of a September leadership contest in his ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The U.S. will hail Japan as a vital regional and global ally and Mr. Kishida will be able to bask in praise for defence reforms that have taken Japan further from its post-war pacifism.

Overshadowing the visit is a controversy over the planned $15 billion acquisition of American steel maker U.S. Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel, a deal some say is "on life support" after criticism by Mr. Biden and Donald Trump, his rival in November's U.S. election.