Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will leave for an official visit to the United States on Monday. Kishida and US President Joe Biden will hold a summit where they are expected to confirm plans to boost cooperation in defense, economic security and outer space.

Kishida will meet Biden amid an increasingly severe international situation. The prime minister is expected to seek closer defense ties through such efforts as improving cooperation between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and US forces in Japan.

The two leaders are expected to agree to enhance relations in a broad array of other spheres.

The areas are believed to range from the development of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies and the establishment of chip and other supply chains to outer space projects, including the US-led Artemis lunar exploration program.

Kishida will also address a joint session of the US Congress during his seven-day visit. He plans to stress that Japan is ready to share with the US the responsibility of protecting the global order that is based on freedom and democracy.

Kishida's itinerary also includes attending a trilateral summit with Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and traveling to the state of North Carolina.