[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5076-S5077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE

  Mr. OBAMA. Mr. President, today I extend my welcome to Prime Minister 
Shinzo Abe of Japan, who is making his first trip to the United States 
as Prime Minister this week.
  The U.S. Japan alliance has been one of the great successes of the 
postwar era, and Japan's remarkable achievements and constructive role 
in world affairs over the past 60 years are a great testament to the 
Japanese people. As the world's two wealthiest democracies, the U.S. 
and Japan, have a shared interest in promoting security and prosperity 
in Asia and around the world--shared interests that rest on a bedrock 
of shared values: in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and free 
markets.
  As one of America's closest allies, Japan today plays a vital role in 
working with the United States in maintaining regional security and 
stability, promoting prosperity, and meeting the new security 
challenges of the 21st century.
  Japan's role in the Six Party Talks--supporting efforts to persuade 
North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program and return to the 
nonproliferation treaty and IAE safeguards--has been essential. And 
beyond North Korea, Japan today is playing a leading role in the 
architecture of the Asia-Pacific region, including participating in 
peace keeping operations, and

[[Page S5077]]

in building stable and enduring structures for cooperative regional 
security.
  In the face of such threats as North Korea's nuclear and missile 
programs, Japan, in partnership with the United States, has also sought 
to reinvigorate its security profile in the region. Japan's efforts to 
develop a more capable Self-Defense Forces, as well as the Prime 
Minister's elevation of the Japan Defense Agency to a Ministry, are, in 
my view, both to be welcomed as signs of a ``normal'' Japan, able and 
willing to play a leading and responsible role in the region.
  The U.S.-Japan alliance must remain at the core of efforts to 
revitalize Japan's role in ensuing stability and security in the 
region. One key aspect of this effort is the realignment of forces 
currently in Japan, making certain that America's ability to respond to 
threats in the region is not diminished.
  Japan has shown that it is not only playing a responsible leadership 
role in its own region, but globally as well.
  The occasion of the Prime Minister's visit provides an opportunity 
for the people of the United States to express our deep appreciation to 
Japan for its contributions to our efforts to combat al-Qaeda and other 
international terrorist organizations. In Afghanistan, Japan has 
donated over $1 billion in development funds to rebuild vital 
infrastructure precisely the sort of effort to transform the 
environment in Afghanistan that will be key to defeating al-Qaeda and 
the Taliban. And Japan has provided critical support--often unseen--in 
multilateral efforts to thwart the growth of terrorist organizations in 
Southeast Asia.

  Japan has also proved to be an invaluable partner in providing 
humanitarian response and relief in the Southeast Asia. Japan joined 
with the United States in responding to the tragic December 2005 
tsunami, and has worked with others across the region to develop an 
effective tsunami early warning system.
  And Japan has worked with the United States and others in the 
international community to develop the infrastructure and institutions 
we need in order to face new transnational challenges like the threat 
of avian influenza. Also, although Japan's foreign assistance level 
declined earlier in the decade, as part of the 2005 G8 global 
development discussions, Japan announced it would increase foreign aid 
by $10 billion in aggregate over the next 5 years, and double its 
assistance to Africa over the next 3 years.
  With newspaper headlines that remind us on a daily basis of the risk 
the planet faces from climate change, we must also recognize the 
critical leadership role in the international community that Japan has 
played on environmental issues and climate change. The Kyoto Protocol, 
which was negotiated in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto in 1997, has 
now been ratified by over 160 nations.
  Japan has also played a key role in forging the Asia-Pacific 
Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, through which the U.S., 
Japan, and others in the region seek to marshal the scientific and 
technical expertise needed to develop cleaner and more efficient 
technologies and bring about a carbon-neutral Asia-Pacific region 
without sacrificing economic growth.
  As the world's second-largest economy, Japan is a vital source of 
growth and dynamism for the rest of the world. In this regard, the 
reemergence of Japan from its ``lost decade'' of virtually no economic 
growth is a most welcome development.
  There is nonetheless still more Japan can do at home to improve the 
structure of its economy, from removing regulations that stifle 
business competition and innovation to further develop Tokyo as a 
global financial market. And the Japanese economy is still not open 
enough to imports in key sectors or to foreign direct investment. The 
United States has an interest in seeing Japan address these challenges 
so that the Japanese economy can continue to play a leading role in 
sustaining global economic growth.
  Although not without its challenges--as is natural in any normal 
bilateral relationship--the United States and Japan today have a strong 
and deep relationship and the basis for close cooperation and 
partnership which will allow us to work together to meet the challenges 
of the decades ahead.
  But I would be remiss in my duties as a friend of Japan if I did not 
note that for Japan to be able to play a leading role in Asia and be 
perceived by its neighbors as a ``normal'' nation it must deal 
forthrightly with its history. It is important for Japan to face these 
issue fully, openly, and honestly. A Japan that is mindful of its past 
can and should play a leading role in Asia's future.
  So let me, in turn, close with some thoughts on the future of the 
U.S.-Japan relationship.
  First, I believe that it is important for Americans, so used to a 
close partnership with Japan, to embrace the complex realities of a 
Japan that is a ``normal nation''--one that has its own identity, 
vision, and goals. Such a Japan should be welcomed by the United States 
as a true partner and friend, even while understanding that it may mean 
that there will be differences on certain issues.
  Given the new regional realities, United States can no longer take 
managing the U.S.-Japan alliance for granted.
  Second, although the U.S.-Japan relationship remains the centerpiece 
of both U.S. and Japanese policy in the Asia-Pacific region, in recent 
years the Bush administration has let its attention to this critical 
relationship drift as it has been distracted by other issues.
  The alliance demands, and is deserving of, close political 
cooperation and coordination at every level, reflecting the key role 
Japan plays as an anchor of U.S. economic and security interests in the 
region and across the globe.
  Third, recognizing the important role that Japan now plays around the 
globe--on peacekeeping, economic development, global warming and new 
transnational threats--I believe the time has long since passed for 
Japan to have a role commensurate with its responsibilities, including 
in the U.N. Security Council.
  The visit of Prime Minister Abe provides us an opportunity to 
rededicate ourselves to the U.S.-Japan partnership, with the same 
spirit that has governed our relations for over 60 years. America 
benefits greatly from a close and productive partnership with a Japan 
that is confident about its future and willing and able to play a 
leading role in creating a peaceful and prosperous Asia.

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