A group of United States senators introduced a bipartisan resolution on Mar. 18 to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae during her visit to the United States and meeting with President Donald J. Trump at the White House.
The resolution highlights the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, especially as Japan’s first female prime minister visits Washington. It reaffirms cooperation between the two countries on national security, economic security, and energy security, and supports efforts to address regional challenges.
The measure was led by Senators Bill Hagerty, Mazie Hirono, James Risch, Jeanne Shaheen, Pete Ricketts, Andy Kim, Roger Wicker, Chris Coons, Rick Scott, and Dan Sullivan. The resolution also commends Japan for reaching two percent of its gross domestic product in defense spending and encourages further trilateral relations among the United States, Japan, and South Korea. It calls for North Korea to release Japanese abductees.
“As President Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi meet at the White House this week, the United States and Japan are truly ushering in a new ‘golden age’ for our alliance in terms of national security, economic security, and energy security,” Senator Bill Hagerty said. “I’m pleased to lead this bipartisan resolution to welcome Prime Minister Takaichi to the United States and reaffirm the Senate’s strong support for raising the U.S.-Japan alliance to new heights.”
Senator Mazie Hirono said: “As 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. At 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.”
Senator James Risch said: “Prime Minister Takaichi’s visit to the U.S. marks an opportunity to showcase strong and deepening U.S.-Japan bilateral ties. Japan is a critical security partner and a regional leader in maintaining a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Its commitment to increasing defense spending and burden-sharing should serve as a model to U.S. allies around the world. I’m grateful to the Prime Minister for her diplomatic efforts to strengthen this partnership as well as her efforts to deepen trilateral and multilateral ties with regional partners such as South Korea, Australia, India, the Philippines, and Taiwan.” Other senators echoed these sentiments about strengthening alliances.
Hagerty was elected as U.S. Senator from Tennessee according to his official website. He hails from Sumner County where he earned Eagle Scout rank according to his official website, serves on several Senate committees including Appropriations; Banking; Housing; Urban Affairs; Foreign Relations; Rules; Administration according to his official website, engages in community service through civic organizations according to his official website, maintains offices across Tennessee including Memphis; Nashville; Chattanooga; Knoxville; Jackson; Tri-Cities area according to his official website, has achieved Eagle Scout rank according to his official website, ran on a platform emphasizing national security/economic development with experience as Ambassador to Japan as noted on his official website.
The full text of the resolution is available online.