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Japan's PM Kishida Plans US Visit in Late September

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Japan's PM Kishida Plans US Visit in Late September

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves at the end of a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on August 14, 2024. Kishida confirmed on August 14 that he will not seek re-election as head of his party next month, meaning the end of his premiership. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Outgoing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is finalizing plans to visit the US in late September for the UN General Assembly and a possible meeting with President Joe Biden, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Saturday.

The visit may take place for several days starting on Sept. 22, the report said, citing multiple government sources it did not identify.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry, in response to a request for comment from Reuters, said "nothing has been decided yet".

Kishida on Wednesday dropped out of the leadership race for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meaning he will step down as prime minister when his term as party leader ends in late September.

The date of the LDP election is not yet set. It could be as early as Sept. 20, in which case Kishida would likely address the General Assembly after Japan's parliament, where the LDP has a majority, has chosen his replacement as prime minister, according to the Yomiuri.

Some in the Japanese government think it best if Kishida's successor does not develop close ties with Biden, who is due to leave office in January, the newspaper said.

Biden, who dropped out of November's US presidential election, was replaced as the Democratic Party nominee last month by Vice President Kamala Harris. She faces the Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump.

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Biden Plans to Use His Convention Speech to Hand off to Harris and Make Case against Trump

US President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 10 July 2024. (EPA)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 10 July 2024. (EPA)
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Biden Plans to Use His Convention Speech to Hand off to Harris and Make Case against Trump

US President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 10 July 2024. (EPA)
US President Joe Biden speaks during a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 10 July 2024. (EPA)

US President Joe Biden will give the keynote address Monday night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, making a symbolic handoff of his party to Vice President Kamala Harris and pressing the case for what he says is the threat to the country if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Four weeks ago, Biden ended his bid for reelection as his party descended into a crisis of confidence over his chances against the Republican nominee after a devastating performance in their June debate. Now, Biden is set to receive a rousing welcome from many of the same officials who were itching for him to exit the race.

Biden’s aides said the president will use his remarks to deliver the argument for why he believes Harris must replace him and defeat Trump, whom he says is a threat to democracy. Biden will also play up some of his popular accomplishments before he steps out of the spotlight for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, to take center stage the rest of the week, the aides said, according to The AP.

Biden was greeted by chants of “Thank you, Joe!” on Thursday when he appeared with Harris in Maryland, and aides said he was pleased by the consolidation in the party behind Harris. Biden endorsed Harris minutes after ending his campaign, helping orchestrate a near-seamless handoff of his political operation to his vice president and avoiding a contentious fight in Chicago over the party's future.

While Biden is no longer on the top of the ticket, his influence will be felt in Chicago, albeit in a far smaller role than had he remained the nominee.

Speakers at the convention are expected to make reference to Biden's accomplishments, from helping lead the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic to winning passage of major infrastructure, climate and health care investments. Harris has used Biden's policies as the foundation of her own policy plans.

The convention's logo still calls back to the president's campaign logo, and signage in the United Center will feature a quote from Biden's Oval Office address explaining his decision to drop out, when he exhorted voters to back Harris: “History is in your hands," he said then.

On Monday, signs will feature a regular Biden-ism: "Spread the faith.”

First lady Jill Biden and other members of Biden's family will be in the arena to watch his speech, which will serve as a coda to his 50 years in Democratic politics. Harris was expected to attend that night. Biden was not scheduled to be at the convention when Harris speaks in the prime spot on Thursday evening.