| U.S. Senate bipartisan resolution welcoming Japanese prime minister co-sponsored by Hirono

U.S. Senate bipartisan resolution welcoming Japanese prime minister co-sponsored by Hirono

Hawai’i Democratic U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono is helping lead a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introducing a resolution welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during her visit this week to the United States. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono The measure reaffirms the strong and enduring alliance between the two nations, applauds Japan for reaching defense spending equal to 2% of its gross domestic product and expresses strong support for joint efforts to address regional and global challenges to national, economic and energy security. “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,” said Hirono in a release about the bipartisan effort. The bipartisan resolution also praises deepening trilateral relations among the United States, Japan and South Korea while also supporting Tokyo’s determination to immediately resolve the issue of Japanese abductees in North Korea and calls on Pyongyang to release abductees. “At a time of mounting global instability, the alliance between our two nations is more vital than ever,” Hirono added. “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Washington, D.C., as we continue to strengthen our partnership.” The resolution is co-sponsored by Hirono, fellow Democrats Sens. Chris Coons of Deleware, Andy Kim of New Jersey and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire along with Republicans Sens. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, James Risch of Idaho, Rick Scott of Florida, Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Roger Wicker of Mississippi. The full text of the resolution is available online.