Japanese PM Fumio Kishida's Final U.S. Visit Plans

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is planning a visit to the U.S. in late September, coinciding with the U.N. General Assembly. During his visit, he might meet with President Joe Biden. Kishida, who is stepping down as PM after withdrawing from the leadership race, will experience a leadership handover amid his U.N. visit.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is preparing for a visit to the United States in late September to attend the U.N. General Assembly and potentially meet President Joe Biden, according to the Yomiuri newspaper.

The visit is expected to last several days beginning on Sept. 22. However, the Japanese Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister's Office have yet to confirm the plans, as reported by Reuters.

Kishida will step down as prime minister after dropping out of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's leadership race. With no set date for the LDP election, Kishida may address the General Assembly following his succession by a yet-to-be-chosen new prime minister from the LDP-majority parliament.

The Yomiuri also highlighted reservations within the Japanese government about Kishida's successor forging close ties with Biden. Biden, who withdrew from the November U.S. presidential election, was succeeded as the Democratic nominee by Vice President Kamala Harris, who now faces Republican candidate Donald Trump.

(With inputs from agencies.)