U.S.-Japan statement refers to "peace and stability in Taiwan Strait" - Jiji

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks as he holds a joint news conference with Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 16, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A joint statement after a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday referred to the "importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait", Jiji news agency reported.

It would be the first such reference to Taiwan in a joint statement by leaders of the two countries since 1969, although it echoed comments in a statement by their defense and foreign ministers last month.