[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 564 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 564

 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Treaty of 
 Mutual Security and Cooperation with Japan, and affirming support for 
      the United States-Japan security alliance and relationship.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 23, 2010

 Mr. Webb (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Bond, 
     Mr. Kerry, Mr. Lugar, and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

                             June 29, 2010

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Treaty of 
 Mutual Security and Cooperation with Japan, and affirming support for 
      the United States-Japan security alliance and relationship.

Whereas Japan became a treaty ally of the United States with the signing of the 
        Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security on January 19, 1960;
Whereas the treaty entered into force on June 19, 1960, after its ratification 
        by the Japanese Diet and the United States Senate;
Whereas, in furtherance of the treaty, Japan hosts approximately 36,000 members 
        of the United States Armed Forces, 43,000 dependents, and 5,000 civilian 
        employees of the Department of Defense, with a majority located on the 
        island of Okinawa;
Whereas the United States and Japan signed the Roadmap for Realignment 
        Implementation on May 1, 2006, to strengthen the alliance by maintaining 
        defense capabilities while reducing burdens on local communities;
Whereas the United States and Japan signed the Guam Agreement on February 17, 
        2009, on the relocation of approximately 8,000 Marines assigned to the 
        III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) personnel and their approximately 
        9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam, which would reduce the presence 
        of the Marine Corps on Okinawa by nearly half;
Whereas the Governments of the United States and Japan maintain a strong 
        security partnership through joint exercises between the United States 
        Armed Forces and Japan's Self-Defense Forces;
Whereas Japan's Self-Defense Forces have contributed broadly to global security 
        missions, including relief operations following the tsunami in Indonesia 
        in 2005, reconstruction in Iraq from 2004 to 2006, relief assistance 
        following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, and maritime security 
        operations in the Gulf of Aden;
Whereas Japan assists in the United States-led effort in Afghanistan where it 
        ranks as the second-largest donor after the United States, pledging 
        $5,000,000,000 over five years to improve infrastructure, education, and 
        health, in addition to underwriting, with the United Kingdom, a 
        reintegration trust fund for former Taliban fighters;
Whereas Japan's Self-Defense Forces have played a vital role in United Nations 
        peacekeeping operations around the world, beginning in 1992 when Japan 
        dispatched two 600-member engineering battalions to the United Nations 
        Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC);
Whereas the sinking of the Republic of Korea's Cheonan naval ship by North Korea 
        was a direct provocation intended to destabilize Northeast Asia and 
        demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the United States and 
        Japan on regional security issues;
Whereas recent maritime activities by China's People's Liberation Army Navy to 
        challenge Japan's sovereignty claims in waters contested by Japan and 
        China underscore the vital nature of the United States-Japan alliance to 
        maintaining a balance of security in the region;
Whereas, on May 28, 2010, members of the United States-Japan Security 
        Consultative Committee reconfirmed that, in this 50th anniversary year 
        of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, the 
        United States-Japan alliance remains ``indispensable not only to the 
        defense of Japan, but also to the peace, security, and prosperity of the 
        Asia-Pacific region'';
Whereas the security alliance has served as the foundation for deep cultural, 
        political, and economic ties between the people of the United States and 
        the people of Japan; and
Whereas Japan remains a steadfast global partner with shared values of freedom, 
        democracy, and liberty: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) affirms its commitment to the United States-Japan 
        security alliance and the deep friendship of both countries 
        that is based on shared values;
            (2) recognizes the benefits of the alliance to the national 
        security of the United States and Japan, as well as to regional 
        peace and security;
            (3) recognizes the contributions of and expresses 
        appreciation for the people of Japan, and in particular the 
        people of Okinawa, in hosting members of the United States 
        Armed Forces and their families in Japan;
            (4) values the involvement of Japan's Self-Defense Forces 
        in regional and global security operations;
            (5) promotes the implementation of the Roadmap for 
        Realignment to reduce the burden on local communities while 
        maintaining the United States strategic posture in Asia; and
            (6) anticipates the continuation of the steadfast alliance 
        with its invaluable contribution to global peace, democracy, 
        and security.
                                 <all>