[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 197 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H5994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STANDING STRONG IN SUPPORT OF JAPAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Williams) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of New York. Mr. Speaker, for over 70 years, the United 
States and Japan have been bound together by a steadfast and loyal 
alliance. Our nations have come together in decades of peace and 
cooperation.
  Today, however, our Japanese allies are facing mounting threats. 
China is ramping up its expansionist efforts, and the tyrannical regime 
of North Korea continues to develop its arsenal of nuclear weapons and 
intermediate-range ballistic missiles, which pose a direct threat to 
the civilian population of Japan.
  In this increasingly unstable and bellicose environment, it has never 
been more important for the United States to stand strong in support of 
Japan.
  North Korea, in particular, is guilty of grave human rights abuses 
against Japanese citizens. Since the 1970s, North Korea has covertly 
abducted 17 Japanese citizens from the homeland islands, some while 
they slept in their beds. In addition to these 17 officially recognized 
abductees, there are numerous other cases of missing Japanese citizens 
for whom the possibility of having been abducted and taken to North 
Korea simply can't be ruled out. The agony of not knowing haunts these 
families, and the fear of abductions in the night from the sea has 
haunted coastal communities in Japan for decades.

  Every single one of these abductions is a horrific tragedy that has 
caused untold suffering. Perhaps even more disturbing is North Korea's 
heartless and transparent deception concerning the status of these 
victims. For example, while North Korea claims eight of these abductees 
have died from causes like suicide, heart attacks, and traffic 
accidents inside North Korea, the regime has never produced any 
objectively verifiable evidence of their deaths to the families who 
just want to know.
  The North Koreans have conveniently claimed that the remains of some 
of the abductees were washed away in floods. They have even handed over 
alleged abductee remains to Japan only for the DNA testing to later 
show that these alleged remains do not match the identities of the 
abducted victims. It is unimaginably cruel.
  North Korea's treatment of Japan and its citizens is nothing short of 
evil and an inhuman crime. America doesn't allow its allies to be 
bullied. That is why I introduced H. Res. 620, a resolution that seeks 
to carry out justice for the Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea. 
This resolution accomplishes three major goals.
  First, it provides official congressional recognition of the horrific 
abductions of Japanese citizens by the North Koreans. This includes an 
acknowledgment that North Korea has violated the basic human rights of 
these Japanese citizens and that only 5 of the 17 officially recognized 
abductees have been returned to Japan.
  Second, this resolution urges North Korea to take action on 
rectifying these abuses. It calls upon North Korea to release all 
foreign abducted nationals, including those from Japan. It also urges 
North Korea to return the remains of all deceased abductees, provide 
information about their demise, and make reparations for these crimes.
  Lastly, the resolution reaffirms Congress' commitment to our alliance 
with Japan and to American strength abroad. When America is weak, our 
enemies are empowered; our allies are endangered; and our national 
security is put at risk. When America is strong, we hold our enemies 
accountable for their actions; we defend our allies; and we keep our 
country safe.
  The alliance with Japan is the bedrock of America's influence in Asia 
and our security. Strong and unapologetic support for Japan is an 
essential component of American foreign policy. We in Congress must all 
speak as one and stand with Japan. We will not let such a faithful and 
crucial ally be pushed around by a tyrannical and rogue regime.
  I am incredibly proud to introduce this resolution. I thank 
Congresswoman Tokuda for co-leading this bipartisan effort.
  Stop for a moment and remember the suffering of these families who 
have had their family members taken from them without any knowledge of 
their well-being.

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