WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez
(D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee, and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) today were joined by Senators
Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), in
introducing a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the strength of the
U.S.-Japan alliance. The bipartisan resolution comes in advance of Prime
Minister Yoshihide Suga’s scheduled visit to the United States to meet
with President Joe Biden and members of Congress in April.
“As we prepare to welcome Prime Minister Suga to the U.S. Capitol, I
am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution honoring the
strength of the alliance between the United States and Japan,” Chairman
Menendez said. “Our shared vision of a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific
region is vital to the advancement of our security interests and defense of
common priorities including human rights, women’s empowerment, freedom, and
democracy. I look forward to continue working with Prime Minister Suga to
nurture this crucial partnership so that we may stand together as we face
today’s challenges.”
“Having served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I have a deep
appreciation for not only the friendship our nation shares with the Japanese
people, but also a complete understanding of the strategic
ally—diplomatically, economically, militarily—that Japan is to the United
States. I have worked with Prime Minster Suga and know him to be a man of
honor, and a leader who is committed to deepening the ties between our two
counties while ensuring Japan remains the cornerstone of security and
prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Senator Hagerty.
“The United States’ close relationship with Japan is rooted not only
in shared economic and security interests, but also in shared values, such as
freedom of the press, free and fair elections, human rights, and the rule of
law,” Senator Coons said. “As we prepare for Prime Minister
Suga’s visit to the United States, I’m proud to join my colleagues to
reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Japan partnership and express our deep
appreciation for the ways in which our alliance continues to promote security
and prosperity for all Americans. I look forward to working with Prime
Minister Suga and the Biden administration to address regional challenges and
advance our shared interests.”
“Strong and healthy alliances and partnerships are important to our
nation’s success in the world, and the U.S-Japan alliance is crucial in
combatting the shared threat we face from China. With this resolution, we
celebrate our shared partnership and look forward to Prime Minister Yoshihide
Suga’s visit to the United States,” Senator Romney said.
I’m
pleased to welcome Prime Minister Suga on his first visit to the United
States and to reaffirm the strength and importance of the U.S.-Japan
alliance,” said Senator Markey. “The U.S.-Japan alliance is the
cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. We’ve cooperated
effectively for over 70 years with Japan in the areas of human rights,
climate change, nonproliferation, and supporting developing democracies.
Under the Biden and Suga administrations, we will explore new areas to work
together as the alliance continues as a sign of strength and stability in the
region.”
Find a copy of the bill HERE.
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