During his first state visit to the US, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint session of Congress, emphasizing the importance of strong US leadership. He noted that there seems to be a sense of self-doubt among Americans about their role in the world, despite the crucial need for the United States to play a pivotal role in global affairs.

House Speaker Mike Johnson presided over Kishida’s address, which was the first-ever by a foreign leader in Congress. The meeting was marked by disorder, with some GOP lawmakers contributing to a tumultuous atmosphere by obstructing legislative efforts.

Kishida’s government has made it clear that supporting Ukraine against Russia is linked to deterring potential Chinese aggression against Taiwan and preventing conflict in East Asia. His statements regarding China’s military actions emphasized the unprecedented challenge they pose to global peace and stability.

The Japanese PM’s appeal for US involvement on the international stage resonated with a rare consensus across party lines in Congress, highlighting China as the primary threat to the current US-led global order. This message was specifically aimed at Republicans who may view international engagement as a distraction from domestic issues.