Biden hosts Japanese PM Suga as U.S. works to counter increasingly assertive China

President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the White House on Friday in his first in-person meeting with a world leader since he took office.

Biden's decision to host Suga for his first face-to-face meeting highlights his administration's focus on strengthening ties with allies in Asia as the U.S. works to counter an increasingly assertive China.

"The United States and Japan have a big agenda ahead of us," Biden said, ahead of a meeting with Suga and administration officials.

"Our cooperation is vital in my view, and...