Press Releases
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida Receives a Courtesy Call from a Delegation of the U.S. Congressional Study Group on Japan
On February 22, commencing at 3:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from a delegation of the United States Congressional Study Group on Japan (CSGJ). The overview is as follows.
1. At the beginning, Minister Kishida welcomed the delegation to Japan, expressed the view that members of the U.S. Congress who are knowledgeable about Japan are a major pillar of Japan-U.S. relations, and stated that he hopes for their continuous cooperation on strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance. Additionally, Minister Kishida stated that the recent Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting provided the opportunity to convey a clear message to the world that the Japan-U.S. Alliance is unwavering. Minister Kishida explained that at his first foreign ministers’ meeting with the Honorable Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State of the United States, he and Secretary Tillerson shared the view that they will engage in strengthening the Japan-U.S. Alliance together.
2. In response, Representative Diana DeGette, United States Congresswoman, expressed her happiness in meeting Minister Kishida again, and explained that she feels overjoyed to be able to visit Japan with Congress members who are committed to work on strengthening the relationship between the two countries. Representative DeGette stated that the recent visit by Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, to the United States was a huge success, and noted that over the last few years there has been a succession of important developments in the Japan-U.S. relationship, such as Prime Minister Abe’s visit to the United States the year before last, when he addressed a joint meeting of Congress.
3. In addition, the members of the delegation each gave a self-introduction, and an exchange of views took place on regional affairs, Japan-U.S. exchanges and other topics.
(Reference) Members of the U.S. Congress who took part in the courtesy call
(1) Representative Diana DeGette, United States Congresswoman (co-chair) (Democrat – Colorado)
(2) Representative Billy Long, United States Congressman (co-chair) (Republican – Missouri)
(3) Representative Suzanne Bonamici, United States Congresswoman (Democrat – Oregon)
(4) Representative Larry Bucshon, United States Congressman (Republican – Indiana)
(5) Representative Ami Bera, United States Congressman (Democrat – California)
(6) Representative Susan Brooks, United States Congresswoman (Republican – Indiana)
(7) Representative Brendan Boyle, United States Congressman (Democrat – Pennsylvania)
(8) Representative Steve Russell, United States Congressman (Republican – Oklahoma)