‘A strong Japan is good for America’, US presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis says on Tokyo trip

DeSantis told PM Fumio Kishida he ‘very much’ applauded Japan’s efforts to boost its defences amid threats from North Korea and China’s rise

He says he’s overseas to build business opportunities for his home state of Florida, but many see it as a bid to burnish his presidential credentials

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Ron DeSantis kicked off an international tour in Tokyo on Monday that’s seen as a bid to burnish his diplomatic and security credentials ahead of a 2024 presidential run. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:31pm, 24 Apr 2023Updated: 3:15pm, 24 Apr 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Japan’s push to bolster its defences as he kicked off an international tour in Tokyo on Monday before a possible presidential run.

The Republican is widely expected to seek the presidential nomination next year, and his trip to Japan, South Korea, Israel and Britain is seen as a bid to burnish his diplomatic and security credentials.

“We very much applaud your efforts to bolster your defences,” DeSantis told Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before talks, referring to Tokyo’s decision to overhaul security strategy and boost defence spending.

“We understand it’s a tough neighbourhood out here with North Korea and the rise of the CCP [China’s Communist Party],” he added.

We really believe that a strong Japan is good for America and a strong America is good for Japan

Ron DeSantis, Florida governor and US presidential hopeful

“We really believe that a strong Japan is good for America and a strong America is good for Japan. So we commend you on that, and we hope that our country is there with you every step of the way.”