U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy presented a birthday cake to Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday, his 57th birthday.
In a 30-minute meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Kennedy celebrated Kishida's birthday, telling him that July 29 is a special day, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Kishida was quoted as telling Kennedy that it is increasingly important for Japan to ensure close coordination and communication with the United States, as it promotes Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy of proactively contributing to peace based on the principle of international cooperation.
Kennedy said U.S. lawmakers and government officials welcome Japan's initiatives to strengthen the bilateral alliance such as a July 1 decision by the Abe Cabinet to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense.