Remarks by President Biden and Prime Minister Suga of Japan at Press Conference
APRIL 16, 2021
Location: Not determined

On the matter of climate change, at the upcoming Climate Summit to be hosted by the U.S. next week or at COP26 and beyond, we confirmed that Japan and the U.S. will lead the global decarbonization in order to further strengthen cooperation in areas such as the implementation of the Paris Agreement, clean energy technologies, or decarbonization transition of developing countries. 

I agreed with President Biden to launch climate partnership on ambition decarbonization and clean energy.  Under these initiatives, I wish to give impetus to concrete and comprehensive Japan-U.S. cooperations.

I discussed the increase of discriminations or violences against Asian people across the U.S. with President Biden and agreed that discrimination by race cannot be permitted in any societies.  We agreed on this regard. 

President Biden’s comment that discriminations and violences is cannot be allowed and that he firmly opposes was extremely encouraging for me, and I have renewed my confidence in American democracy once again. 

I told the President about my determination to realize the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer as a symbol of a global unity.  President Biden once again expressed his support for this determination. 

Japan is listening to and learning from WHO and experts, doing everything possible to contain infection and to realize safe and secure Games.  From scientific and objective perspectives, we will do our utmost in our preparation.

Freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law — as we firmly defend and uphold these universal values that Japan and the U.S. share, I look forward to the actual implementation of the outcomes of today’s significant meeting and to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific by further collaboration and deeper cooperation with Joe.

I once again express my heartfelt gratitude for the kind invitation.  Thank you. 

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Now we will each take a few questions, and I’ll begin by recognizing the Associated Press.  Aamer, you have the first question.  There you are. 

Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  And thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.  Mr. President, in your last press conference, you said successful Presidents prioritize and that you were focusing your agenda on one thing at a time. 

And I’d like to just ask you: What would you say to many Americans who voted for you about the legislative progress on gun control and police reform having to wait while you pursue infrastructure, given that we continue to see these incidents with mass shootings and also police-involved shootings, including the incident that a lot of us saw in Chicago most recently?  Do you feel any need to reprioritize your agenda?

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  I’ve never not prioritized this.  No one has worked harder to deal with the violence used by individuals using weapons than I have.  I’m the only one ever to have passed an assault weapons ban.  I’m the only one that ever got a 10-year ban on assault weapons and clips of more than 10 bullets. 

Immediately upon us becoming in office, having an attorney general, I asked him to put together the things I could do by executive order, including dealing with new guns that can be made — you can buy in pieces and put together, and other — and other initiatives.

I strongly support — I strongly support the universal background checks, which I continue to push.  The Congress has to step up and act.  The Senate has to act.

And I strongly support and continue — I’ve never stopped supporting the ban on assault weapons and magazines that hold more than 10 — 10 bullets. 

It doesn’t mean that I can’t also be working at the same time on the economy and on COVID.  But it’s not a question of my being able to set the agenda in the Senate as to what they will move to first.  And so I continue and I strongly, strongly urge my Republican friends in the Congress who even refused to bring up the House-passed bill to bring it up now. 

This has to end.  It’s a national embarrassment.  It is a national embarrassment what’s going on.  And it’s not only these mass shootings that are occurring.  Every single day — every single day, there’s a mass shooting in this United — in the United States if you count all those who are killed out on the streets of our cities and our rural areas.  It’s a national embarrassment and must come to an end. 

And one last thing: The folks who own weapons, the folks who own guns, they support universal background checks.  The majority of them think we should not be selling assault weapons.  Who, in God’s name, needs a weapon that can hold 100 rounds or 40 rounds or 20 rounds?  It’s just wrong.  And I’m not going to give up until it’s done. 

You have a question you want to offer?  I mean, not a question — (laughs) — recognize someone, Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER SUGA:  (As interpreted.)  Mr. Sugimoto, with Sankei Newspaper.

Q    (As interpreted.)  Thank you very much.  My name is Sugimoto of Sankei Newspaper.  The summit — I believe that China policy was one of the central agenda items, so my question is on China policy.  Both governments consider that peace and stability of Taiwan is of great importance and that had been the agreement between the two countries. 

What kind of exchange of views were conducted on this matter at today’s meeting?  In order to deter contingency in the Straits, what can Japan do?  And what can Japan do, when actually, a contingency occurs in the Taiwan Straits?  Did the Prime Minister explain to President Biden what Japan can do under such circumstances?

And also, were there discussions on Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region human rights issue?  Grave concern is shared by the two countries, but Japan is the only G7 country that has not imposed sanctions on China.  Were you able to gain President Biden’s understanding towards such position?

PRIME MINISTER SUGA:  (As interpreted.)  As we engaged in an exchange of views over the regional situation, we also discussed the circumstances in Taiwan and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region as well.

     I refrain from mentioning details since it pertains to diplomatic exchanges, but there is already an agreed recognition over the importance of peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits between Japan and the United States, which was reaffirmed on this occasion. 

I also explained Japan’s position and initiatives regarding the situation in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to the President, who I think understood my points.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Next question is — goes to Trevor of Reuters.

Q    Thank you.  Mr. President, it’s been a while since we’ve heard an update from you on how the talks are going with Iran.  How are they going?  And do you regard their decision to enrich to 60 percent as a step backwards — as a sign that they aren’t serious about those negotiations?

And, for the Prime Minister, just a question on whether it’s irresponsible to move forward with the Olympics when you have public health experts telling you that Japan is not ready to do so.  Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Let me respond to the Iran question.  We do not support and do not think it’s at all helpful that Iran is saying it’s going to move to enrich to 60 percent.  It is contrary to the agreement.  We are, though, nonetheless pleased that Iran has continued to agree to engage in discussions — in direct discussions with us and with our — our partners on how we move forward and what is needed to allow us to move back into the JOPCA [JCPOA], and so that we are a part of it again — that we should have never gotten out of, in my view — without us making concessions that I’m — we’re just not willing to make. 

And so the discussions are underway.  I think it’s premature to make a judgement as to what the outcome will be, but we’re still talking.

PRIME MINISTER SUGA:  (As interpreted.)  If I may invite Shintomi-san of Kyodo News.

Q    (As interpreted.)  Yes, I have a question to Prime Minister Suga regarding the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics planned for this summer.  You have garnered support from President Biden.  Did the President mention about the concrete promise to send American athletes or any positive comments? 

If you can tell us about the exchanges and the conversations during the meeting about the COVID-19 vaccines or about climate change.  You have discussed these aspects about the schedule of providing the vaccines or, by 2030, the reduction target of the gases.  Any numerical targets or actions were discussed, please? 

PRIME MINISTER SUGA:  (As interpreted.)  As was mentioned at the beginning, I expressed my determination to realize the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympic Games as a symbol of global unity this summer.  And President Biden, once again, expressed his support. 

Japan will continue careful and full preparation in order to realize the Tokyo games this summer, in order to ensure equitable access to vaccines for COVID-19.  We also affirmed that Japan and the U.S. will continue our cooperation.

Regarding the climate change, this is a matter that both President Biden and I emphasize.  So, during the talk today, we have confirmed to strengthen bilateral cooperation and collaboration in the area of climate change and have agreed to launch the Japan-U.S. Climate Partnership, which is extremely meaningful and significant.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, thank you all very much.  And thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.  I look forward to having you back.

Thank you again, everyone.

5:33 P.M. EDT