Measure reaffirms the U.S.-Japan alliance and welcomes Japan\u2019s first-ever female Prime Minister on her visit to the United States.<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON\u2014\u00a0United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), James Risch (R-ID), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chris Coons (D-DE), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) are leading a bipartisan Senate resolution to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae as she visits the United States and meets with President Donald J. Trump at the White House this week.<\/p>\n
The resolution reaffirms the strong and enduring U.S.-Japan alliance, applauds Japan\u2019s achievement of two percent of gross domestic product on defense spending, and expresses strong support for the U.S.-Japan alliance\u2019s efforts to address regional and global challenges to national security, economic security, and energy security.\u00a0\u00a0It also praises deepening trilateral relations among the United States, Japan, and South Korea, and backs Tokyo\u2019s determination to immediately resolve the issue of Japanese abductees in North Korea and calls on Pyongyang to release abductees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi meet at the White House this week, the United States and Japan are truly ushering in a new \u2018golden age\u2019 for our alliance in terms of national security, economic security, and energy security,\u201d\u00a0Senator Hagerty\u00a0said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m pleased to lead this bipartisan resolution to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi to the United States and reaffirm the Senate\u2019s strong support for raising the U.S.-Japan alliance to new heights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the only Japanese-American serving in the United States Senate, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to honor the enduring alliance between Japan and the U.S., and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific,\u201d said\u00a0Senator Hirono. \u201cAt a time of mounting global instability, the alliance between our two nations is more vital than ever. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Washington, D.C., as we continue to strengthen our partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAmerica\u2019s alliance with Japan supports jobs, fosters innovation, and serves as the cornerstone for security across the Indo-Pacific. This is an alliance that has broad bipartisan support, and I\u2019m proud to stand with colleagues from both sides of the aisle in welcoming Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to the United States,\u201d said\u00a0Senator Kim.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pleased to welcome our friend, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the U.S. with this resolution,\u201d\u00a0Senator Rick Scott\u00a0said. \u201cThe United States and Japan have been close allies for decades and are bound by a shared commitment to democracy, economic partnership, and global security. I look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Takaichi to promote peace, security, and prosperity for the American people, the people of Japan, and the rest of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n