'Fumio' and 'Joe' hold phone talks on China, N Korea

There was a reason advisors to Margaret Thatcher told her there was no need to remember the Japanese PM's name.

Creepy

Fumio and Joe? sounds like a failed manzai group.

Confirming that Fumio knows who's in charge and what's expected of him.

*“This week on “Fumio & Joe”!.… *Reads like an ‘80 American sitcom. This is obviously a JT exclusive as Mari Yamaguchi and AP are reporting her story as:

“Japan’s Kishida, Biden agree to cooperate on China, N Korea” By MARI YAMAGUCHI

1st question asked was who has Abe lined up next for your job?

I like how this fake cordiality is pushed to the extremes from the Japanese media

Japan is known as one of the most if not the most formal country in the planet.

I wonder how many people call him Fumio,for sure even not his friends lol.

The two of them should be able to solve the North Korean issue and create good relations with China. It's very exciting times!

What ever else he might have going for him (and we will have to wait and see) he has the most forgettable face of any politician I have seen. As to his tenure, the example of Suga and the past does not bode well.

Fumio and Joe better get on with many provable important issues . Leave China out of the pictures before they both have to resign.

Did they play some Al Green for their bromance?

Made a real effort to remember his name ay Joe. Fumio, fumi….oh no!

"Just" Joe answered the phone and was like, who is this guy?

Wasn't he a different guy last month at the Olympics?

Will there be a different guy at the Beijing Olympics?

Do they have on call Prime Ministers in Japan, where they can just be swapped out, quickly?

Fumio and Joe? sounds like a failed manzai group.

Or the sequel cartoon to Ren and Stimpy

“Japan’s Kishida, Biden agree to cooperate on China, N Korea” By MARI YAMAGUCHI

Really?? They agreed to that?? Ya don't say!!

How long ago was this phone call, Yesterday ? Not a mention about China,s aggression on Taiwan over the weekend ?

This must be the standard prepared throw out there statement. I wonder if there was such a call at all ?

No mention in the article of Fumio's English language level. He must be fluent, just like all the others before him. Abe, Suga, etc. They are all well known at the UN, G7, etc. for their eloquence and rhetorical ability.

It's all to do with how much emphasis the Japanese put on the need to learn a second language.

Let me guess: he can't speak English. Abe wouldn't allow that surely, too dangerous and difficult to control

The leaders agreed to call each other by their first names, Joe and Fumio

This is so American! Joey, why not take it a step further and call him Fumie? or just give him an American name like Freddy...

No mention anywhere in the Asian or North American press but the Arab press says Mr. Biden spoke to Xi Jinping yesterday regarding Taiwan. No details however other than the US President expressed concern over the number of aircraft China sends close to Taiwan and an expression that the US is abiding its agreements with China regarding Taiwan and that China needs to do the same.

This new Japanese PM gives me the creeps. He has an uncanny resemblance in his dress, facial expression and manner, to some of Japan's 1920s-1940s militarist politicians. You can vote me down to your heart's content but the picture at the top of this article gives me the willies.

@egalite

No mention in the article of Fumio's English language level

Does it really matter? Leaders should be judged by other criteria. By the way, how many foreign languages Biden speakes?

@Farmboy

There are good translators if any leader needs one

Exactly. Knowing foreign languages is definitely a plus, but from prime ministers other much more necessary skills are required.

@Desert Tortoise

He has an uncanny resemblance in his dress, facial expression and manner, to some of Japan's 1920s-1940s militarist politicians

And what a blast was Bush the Small with his appearance!! lol

Can't say I'm a big fan of Kishida personally, but let's judge him for his deeds, not his appearance. After all it is not a movie casting.