PM Kishida mistakenly says China is Japan’s ‘ally’ in Washington

WASHINGTON (Kyodo) — Prime Minister Fumio Kishida erroneously referred Wednesday to China as Japan’s “ally” at a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington, although he quickly corrected himself.

Responding to a question about diplomacy toward China, Kishida said in Japanese, “China is our ally,” but shortly afterward added, “Excuse me, based on a strong relationship of trust with our ally, the United States, we will urge China to fulfill its responsibilities as a major power.”

Kishida raised his right hand as he corrected his remark at the news conference following summit talks with Biden. The prime minister became Japan’s first political leader to visit the United States as a state guest in nine years.