Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says he wants to confirm the solid relationship between Japan and the United States during his visit to the country.

Kishida left Japan on Monday to start the seven-day trip.

He will meet US President Joe Biden for talks. The two will be joined by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a trilateral summit. Kishida will also address a joint session of Congress.

Before the trip, the Japanese leader told reporters that the importance of the Japan-US alliance is growing as the global security environment becomes increasingly severe.

He also said both countries are leading a wide range of issues in the international community, and that this visit will be a very important opportunity to convey how strong the US-Japan relationship is to the world.

On addressing Congress, Kishida said he will deliver a speech with a firm eye on the future. He said he will speak about what kind of international society Japan and the US will aim for and what they need to do to realize this.

Regarding the trilateral summit, Kishida said cooperation among the three countries is very important for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as for protecting a free and open international order based on the rule of law.