Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Japan could not have hoped for a better and more comforting visit by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The list of deliverables was long and meaty. As important, though, was confirmation that Japan remains a priority for the U.S., the alignment of the two men’s visions for global order and the affirmation of Japan’s critical role in the region and beyond.

As this country’s only ally, reiteration of the longstanding U.S. position that the bilateral alliance is “the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific” is more than diplomatic boilerplate. Biden’s statement that “the U.S. remains fully committed to Japan’s defense” matters greatly as countries like China and Russia seek to rewrite rules and redraw borders through the use of force. His pledge that the two countries will “face the challenges of today and in the future together” takes on greater meaning following reports that Chinese and Russian aircraft conducted joint operations in skies near Japan as the two men met.

Central to the alliance is the belief among potential adversaries that the U.S. will use the full range of its capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to defend Japan. Therefore, deterrence is invariably a priority in leadership discussions and this meeting was no different.

Kishida and Biden pledged to work together to “continually modernize the alliance, evolve bilateral roles and missions and strengthen joint capabilities including by aligning strategies and prioritizing goals together.”

That cooperation extends beyond the two nations. The two leaders agreed to work together to promote capacity building in third countries, an effort that would rely on coast guards, as well as to cooperate in outer space and cyberspace — two domains increasingly critical to national security.

While the U.S. role is crucial, even more important are Japan’s own efforts. This country’s national defense is first and foremost a Japanese responsibility. Equally significant, Japanese efforts signal to the United States Tokyo’s seriousness and its credibility as a partner. Thus, Prime Minister Kishida stated his determination to fundamentally reinforce his country’s defense capabilities and secure substantial increases in the defense budget to make sure that happens.

An area of expanding cooperation is economic issues. This was once a source of dangerous friction in the relationship; now the two countries are working together in this central arena of geopolitical competition. Biden and Kishida promised to collaborate in protecting and promoting critical technologies and to work to ensure that supply chains are resilient and stable. One key agreement was establishing a joint task force to explore development of next generation semiconductors, based on the Basic Principles on Semiconductor Cooperation adopted in the Japan-U.S. Commercial and Industrial Partnership.

The two countries should follow up on the newly passed economic security legislation and identify additional ways to cooperate and strengthen economic security. That subject is certain to be taken up in the Economic Consultative Committee, the economic "two-plus-two” meeting that is supposed to be launched this summer.

Biden’s announcement of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is a welcome sign of U.S. commitment to and engagement with the region. Its membership roster is longer than anticipated and includes not only all U.S. allies in the region, but important Southeast Asian nations as well such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam. India’s decision to join is especially gratifying, given New Delhi’s refusal to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.

While we would prefer that the U.S. reconsider membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, we recognize that is unlikely. IPEF is a good step although much — if not virtually everything — depends on what the framework negotiations yield.

Over five days in Japan and South Korea, President Biden demonstrated the seriousness of his commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Not only is the U.S. steadfast in its alliances, but it is determined to work with allies and partners to set the rules for the 21st century. As the two leaders’ joint statement declared, both countries will “play an active role in addressing the challenges most salient for the global community — whether the emergence of new technologies, the impact of climate change, or transnational threats such as infectious disease.”

Fortunately, there is almost no gap in Japanese and U.S. thinking about what those challenges are. It is a long list, but both governments place at its top the threats posed by revisionist governments and the need to think creatively and act to address those dangers. That is an invaluable prerequisite and the foundation of the expanding partnership.

During Biden’s stay in Tokyo, he also made clear the role he expects Japan to play. He expressed support for Japan’s permanent membership on a reformed Security Council — and repeated time and again the importance of enhanced coordination among democracies and like-minded partners to tackle contemporary challenges. Japan is expected to stand with the U.S as they provide development aid, build regional infrastructure, promote cybersecurity and build safe and secure 5G telecommunications systems.

This is a vote of confidence in Japan and in Prime Minister Kishida. The prime minister is emerging from the shadow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, building on his work while also putting his own mark on Japan’s foreign and national security policy. Hosting President Biden and other leaders for "the Quad" and the various bilateral meetings is proof not only of the priority he attaches to an ambitious regional security agenda but the readiness of those officials to work with him to achieve those objectives.

The Japan Times Editorial Board