WASHINGTON - When Yoshihide Suga succeeded Shinzo Abe as prime minister last September, some experts expressed concern about his lack of foreign policy experience, calling him a "novice at diplomacy." Separately, some Japanese government officials have worried that U.S. President Joe Biden might replicate former President Barack Obama's stance towards China, which was perceived as overly accommodating. Thus, when Suga and Biden met in Washington on April 16, it was not simply an opportunity to set the tone for the future of U.S.-Japan relations, it was also a political test for Suga and a chance for Biden to establish his bona fides with Tokyo. While some media outlets have characterized the summit as successful in showcasing a strong alliance, others have argued Japan was forced to take more hawkish foreign policy stances urged on by the Americans while failing to secure Biden's commitment to attend the Tokyo Olympic Games. The ultimate impact of the summit remains to be seen. Still, Suga and Biden accomplished their immediate objective of presenting a unified front and rekindling confidence in the alliance. They also highlighted several other important themes.