[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 113 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3203-S3204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         REMEMBERING SHINZO ABE

  Mr. PORTMAN. Before we talk about Ukraine, this has been a time over 
the last couple of weeks since we were last here in session of a lot of 
change and volatility around the world.
  I want to begin by expressing my shock and sorrow over the 
assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. I know I 
speak for all Americans when I express my deepest condolences to the 
people of Japan for this tragic loss.
  Prime Minister Abe was a dear friend to the United States and a 
leader in building new coalitions in the Indo-Pacific to support 
democracies in the region and counter the nuclear threat from North 
Korea and China's various malign influences.
  When I visited Japan a few months ago with a bipartisan group of 
Senate colleagues, I saw firsthand the changes

[[Page S3204]]

that he brought to Japan that are now beginning to bear fruit: a 
stronger and more effective national security posture for Japan; a more 
confident Japan in the region; better trade and security ties, 
including the quad dialogue with Japan, Australia, the United States 
and India; and the Indo-Pacific economic framework.
  His imprint on Japan and the very special alliance we have with Japan 
will be long lasting and beneficial to both of our countries.

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