The increasing global instability has brought the world closer to a “historic turning point,” according to Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in an interview with CNN. He emphasized the need for Japan to change its defensive military capabilities in the face of challenges such as Russian aggression in Ukraine, the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, and security tensions in East Asia. Kishida stated that Japan has recently strengthened its defense policies to address the growing security threats. This announcement comes just before his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, where they will discuss these issues and participate in the First Quad Leaders’ Meeting with Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines.

The Tokyo Conference, described as a “historic opportunity for creating a united front,” aims to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, and the instability in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. The announcement of the conference was made in Washington, D.C., shortly after Kishida’s meeting with Biden, where they discussed the increasing tensions in the East China Sea and the need for collective security to counter China’s aggression. The conference is seen as an opportunity for Japan and the United States to establish credibility in tackling regional challenges in various regions, such as the South China Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic Ocean routes, and the Red Sea.