U.S. Vice President Joe Biden underscored his country’s support for Japan on Tuesday as it rebuilds from the devastating earthquake and tsunami that ripped through the country’s northeastern region nearly six months ago, Wall Street Journal reports. “America will stand by Japan for as long as it takes,” Biden said in the central northeastern city of Sendai, standing on a makeshift stage at the airport flanked by the U.S. and Japanese flags. He said his visit was intended to “reinforce” that message. In prepared remarks, Biden restated the importance of Japan’s relationship with the U.S., calling it “the anchor” of U.S. relationships in Asia, despite the economic growth of other countries.
