U.S. President Joe Biden supports Japan in its bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirmed at a presser on Monday after meeting his U.S. counterpart.

Biden "commended Prime Minister Kishida's leadership in responding to Russia's war against Ukraine, and his determination to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities," the White House said in a statement following their meeting.

Biden arrived in Tokyo on Sunday for a three-day visit following his stop in South Korea.

(Cover: U.S. President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a bilateral meeting at the Akasaka Palace state guest house in Tokyo, Japan, May 23, 2022. /AP)