Japan-United States of America Relations

(1) Sending a positive message on the progress of the Japan-U.S. relations in 70 years since the end of World War II and their future

Prime Minister Abe’s official visit to the United States was held following President Obama’s state visit to Japan last year. In the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, the two leaders confirmed the progress on the bilateral issues. They also confirmed their coordination in response to regional affairs and global issues, and reaffirmed that they will further strengthen their cooperation in the future. Furthermore, the personal relationship of both leaders was further strengthened through the visit, with the President himself guiding the Prime Minister to the Lincoln Memorial and the pleasant exchanges of opinions in a relaxed atmosphere during the official banquet.

Prime Minister Abe visited Boston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in addition to the capital Washington DC. In each of these cities, Prime Minister Abe interacted with a wide range of people, including students, intellectuals, and business people. Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed the deepening in cooperation between Japan and the United States, not only in the field of politics but also in the economic, cultural, and educational fields, as well as his intention to build even broader Japan-U.S. relations in the future. Moreover, he further strengthened ties with Japanese-Americans, who are important bonds between Japan and the United States.

(1) Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting (April 28) 

For the first time in the history as a Prime Minister of Japan, Prime Minister Abe made an address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress. As his fundamental message, he reviewed that Japan and the United States, countries which had previously waged war against each other, reconciled after the war and became robust allies, making contributions to peace and prosperity in the region and the world, and emphasized the bond that has been forged between Japan and the United States for 70 years since the end of the war.

(1) Boston (April 26 and 27) 

In addition to official events including the welcoming ceremony, the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, the official banquet and the address to the Congress, Prime Minister Abe visited the Arlington National Cemetery and the National World War II Memorial and paid his homage to the victims of World War II. Additionally, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Prime Minister Abe met with people whose lives were saved by the visas issued by Chiune Sugihara, and reaffirmed more strongly that such tragedy as the Holocaust shall never be repeated. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe attended a symposium on security held by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, roundtable talks with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a breakfast meeting with members of the STS forum presenting Japan’s basic policies. Moreover, Prime Minister Abe hosted a gala dinner inviting those related to the Japan-U.S. relations and conveyed his gratitude them for their contributions.

 At the West Coast’s hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture support that moves the United States and the world, Prime Minister Abe emphasized Japan’s policies in which these elements constitute a pillar of the country’s growth strategy. Through participation in a symposium attended by intellectuals from Stanford University, entrepreneurs and business people actively working in Silicon Valley and other places, as well as visits to companies, Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to promote exchanges between Japan and Silicon Valley in the future. In addition, Prime Minister Abe promoted Shinkansen (bullet train) technology at the highest level by receiving the courtesy call by Governor of the State of California Edmund G. Brown Jr. and trying a Shinkansen simulator together.

Prime Minister Abe laid a wreath at the Go For Broke Monument which commemorates Japanese-American World War II soldiers, and visited the Japanese American National Museum, thereby strengthening the deep bonds that exist between Japan and Japanese-Americans. Furthermore, in informal discussions with participants in the Kakehashi Project, the Prime Minister expressed his hope they would become a bridge (kakehashi) between Japan and the United States in the future. Prime Minister Abe also attended the Japan-U.S. Economic Forum with influential business people from Japan and the United States, where he called for further mutual investment by Japan and the United States.