NHK has learned that Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will vow that his country will play a role in maintaining the global order during his address to the US Congress next week.

Kishida will make an official visit to the United States and address a joint session of the US Congress. It will be the first congressional address by a Japanese prime minister in nine years.

According to an outline of the speech, Kishida will say the post-war global order, based on freedom and democracy, that the US has built through its economic, diplomatic, and military prowess has facilitated the stability and prosperity of the world. He will point out that the global order has been threatened by authoritarian moves, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's increasing assertiveness.

He will go on to say that the US is now facing a sense of fatigue, and that it should not have to bear the responsibility of protecting the existing order alone. He will emphasize that Japan is ready to share the burden with the US, as its strong ally and "global partner."

Bearing in mind that political divisions are deepening in the US ahead of the presidential election in autumn, Kishida will caution that bipartisan cooperation is essential for Japan to play such a role.