Japan-United States of America Relations

January 13, 2023
Japanese

On January 13, commencing at 6 p.m. (8 a.m. on January 14, Japan time), for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, who is visiting Washington, D.C., held a dinner meeting with a bipartisan group of United States Senators and Representatives. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

  1. At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida stated that as the world is facing various challenges at history’s turning point, the robust Japan-U.S. Alliance has a significant role to play in the peace and stability of the region and the international community. In response, the Senators and Representatives stated that the U.S. Congress will also work to further strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance.
  2. Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan will fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities, including the possession of counterstrike capabilities, based on the new National Security Strategy and other documents released at the end of last year, and the Senators and Representatives reiterated their support.
  3. Prime Minister Kishida stated that U.S. unwavering commitment to the Indo-Pacific region not only in the area of security but also in the area of economy is necessary. Prime Minister Kishida and the Senators and Representatives then discussed the return of the U.S. to the TPP at an early time.
  4. Furthermore, Prime Minister Kishida and the Senators and Representatives exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including the response to strategic challenges facing Japan and the U.S. and how to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance in the future.

[Reference] U.S. Senators and Representatives who participated in the dinner meeting

Senators:

  • (1) Senator Christopher A. Coons, United States Senate (Democratic, Delaware)
  • (2) Senator Bill Cassidy, United States Senate (Republican, Louisiana)
  • (3) Senator Chris Van Hollen, United States Senate (Democratic, Maryland)
  • (4) Senator Tammy Duckworth, United States Senate (Democratic, Illinois)

Representatives:

  • (5) Representative Nancy Pelosi, United States House of Representatives (Democratic, California)
  • (6) Representative Diana DeGette, United States House of Representatives (Democratic, Colorado)
  • (7) Representative Adrian Smith, United States House of Representatives (Republican, Nebraska)
  • (8) Representative Larry Bucshon, United States House of Representatives (Republican, Indiana)
  • (9) Representative Mark Takano, United States House of Representatives (Democratic, California)

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