Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga agreed Thursday with new U.S. President Joe Biden to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and work closely to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific region, in their first phone talks since the American leader was inaugurated last week.Biden reiterated the United States' "unwavering commitment" to protecting the Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islets administered by Japan but claimed by China, according to Japan's Foreign Ministry and the White House.Suga is keen to build close ties with Biden amid mounting security challenges including China's military bui…READ FULL ARTICLE