Kishida vows to lead with ‘trust and empathy’ to fix Japan

By MARI YAMAGUCHI
Associated Press

TOKYO (AP) — In his first policy speech, new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to strengthen the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in case of another resurgence and revive its battered economy while bolstering defenses against threats from China and North Korea. Kishida says he also spoke on Friday by telephone with Chinese President Xi Jinping and raised concerns about China’s escalating activities in disputed maritime territories and human rights problems in Hong Kong and the Xinjiang region. Kishida faces the task of rallying public support for the governing party ahead of national elections expected Oct. 31. He was sworn in Monday as Japan’s 100th prime minister, succeeding Yoshihide Suga, who left after only a year in office.