WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the committee’s ranking member, yesterday introduced a bipartisan resolution (S.Res.152) on the significance of the United States’ relationship with Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives in Washington this week for a state visit where he will address a joint meeting of Congress on Wednesday.
"I have had the pleasure of meeting with Prime Minister Abe, and I appreciate his vision for Japan taking a larger leadership role in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening ties with the United States even further," said Senator Corker. "Given the security issues occurring in the region and the upcoming debate in the Senate on participation in trans-pacific trade talks, I cannot think of a better time for him to be addressing Congress about the importance, both economically and from a security standpoint, of the enduring friendship between our two nations."
“The visit of Prime Minister Abe provides us with an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the U.S.-Japan partnership with the same spirit of shared interest and values that governed our relationship for the past 70 years,” said Senator Cardin. “The alliance between our two nations is critical for the maintenance of regional security and stability, and to meet the new security challenges of the 21st century. Japan’s relationship with the United States continues to expand and evolve, and I welcome Prime Minister Abe’s commitment to restoring Japan’s economic vibrancy and willingness to play a leading and responsible role in promoting regional stability and fostering international peace.”
The resolution “reaffirms the importance of the United States-Japan alliance for maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond,” “promotes deepening the economic and trade ties between the United States and Japan, including the empowerment of women,” and “calls for continued cooperation between the Governments of the United States and Japan in the promotion of human rights.”
Cosponsors of the resolution include Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.). Full text of the resolution is included below and is also available here.
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