WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) today were joined by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), in introducing a bipartisan resolution reaffirming the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance. The bipartisan resolution comes in advance of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s scheduled visit to the United States to meet with President Joe Biden and members of Congress in April.

“As we prepare to welcome Prime Minister Suga to the U.S. Capitol, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution honoring the strength of the alliance between the United States and Japan,” Chairman Menendez said. “Our shared vision of a free and inclusive Indo-Pacific region is vital to the advancement of our security interests and defense of common priorities including human rights, women’s empowerment, freedom, and democracy. I look forward to continue working with Prime Minister Suga to nurture this crucial partnership so that we may stand together as we face today’s challenges.”
“Having served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I have a deep appreciation for not only the friendship our nation shares with the Japanese people, but also a complete understanding of the strategic ally—diplomatically, economically, militarily—that Japan is to the United States. I have worked with Prime Minster Suga and know him to be a man of honor, and a leader who is committed to deepening the ties between our two counties while ensuring Japan remains the cornerstone of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Senator Hagerty
“The United States’ close relationship with Japan is rooted not only in shared economic and security interests, but also in shared values, such as freedom of the press, free and fair elections, human rights, and the rule of law,” Senator Coons said.  “As we prepare for Prime Minister Suga’s visit to the United States, I’m proud to join my colleagues to reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Japan partnership and express our deep appreciation for the ways in which our alliance continues to promote security and prosperity for all Americans. I look forward to working with Prime Minister Suga and the Biden administration to address regional challenges and advance our shared interests.”
“Strong and healthy alliances and partnerships are important to our nation’s success in the world, and the U.S-Japan alliance is crucial in combatting the shared threat we face from China. With this resolution, we celebrate our shared partnership and look forward to Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s visit to the United States,” Senator Romney said.

I’m pleased to welcome Prime Minister Suga on his first visit to the United States and to reaffirm the strength and importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance,” said Senator Markey. “The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. We’ve cooperated effectively for over 70 years with Japan in the areas of human rights, climate change, nonproliferation, and supporting developing democracies. Under the Biden and Suga administrations, we will explore new areas to work together as the alliance continues as a sign of strength and stability in the region.”

Find a copy of the bill HERE

###