Rep. Takano Says “US-Japan Alliance Has Never Been Stronger” Following Japanese PM’s Address to Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39), a Congressional leader on US-Japan relations and Member of the Escort Committee for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s address to today’s Joint Meeting of Congress, applauded the Prime Minister’s remarks.
Statement:
The US-Japan alliance has never been stronger. I applaud Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s clear-eyed address to Congress that emphasized our shared responsibility to uphold our shared values in the face of rising aggression in the Indo-Pacific and across the globe.
I commend Japan for its increasing leadership as a regional and global steward on critical issues like Russia, China, nuclear non-proliferation, and more. I look forward to deepening our economic, cultural, and security ties and know the US-Japan alliance will only continue to strengthen with time.
Background on Congressman Takano’s history on US-Japan relations:
- Japanese American and his grandparents, along with his parents, were removed from their homes and sent to Japanese American Internment camps during World War II.
- Traveled extensively to Japan and to Asia, including with then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi as part of a broader delegation to Taiwan and other countries in the region.
- Recently to Japan in April 2023 for Tokyo Pride amidst growing momentum for more inclusiveness and the adoption of progressive LGBTQ policies among the Japanese people and their civil society.
- Serves as a Vice-Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and a Speaker-appointed Commissioner on the Japan-US Friendship Commission, as well as is a member of the US-Japan Caucus in the House of Representatives.
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