[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5759-5762]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 JOINT MEETING TO HEAR AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY SHINZO ABE, PRIME 
                           MINISTER OF JAPAN

  During the recess, the House was called to order by the Speaker at 10 
o'clock and 59 minutes a.m.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms, Ms. Kathleen Joyce, announced 
the Vice President and Members of the U.S. Senate, who entered the Hall 
of the House of Representatives, the Vice President taking the chair at 
the right of the Speaker, and the Members of the Senate the seats 
reserved for them.
  The SPEAKER. The joint meeting will come to order.
  The Chair appoints as members of the committee on the part of the 
House to escort His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, 
into the Chamber:
  The gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy);
  The gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise);
  The gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers);
  The gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden);
  The gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Messer);
  The gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx);
  The gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan);
  The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen);
  The gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger);
  The gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Nunes);
  The gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Salmon);
  The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Long);
  The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi);
  The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Becerra);
  The gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley);
  The gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards);
  The gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Honda);
  The gentlewoman from California (Ms. Matsui);
  The gentleman from California (Mr. Takano);

[[Page 5760]]

  The gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Takai);
  The gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette);
  The gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott); and
  The gentleman from Texas (Mr. Castro).
  The VICE PRESIDENT. The President of the Senate, at the direction of 
that body, appoints the following Senators as members of the committee 
on the part of the Senate to escort His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime 
Minister of Japan, into the House Chamber:
  The Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell);
  The Senator from Texas (Mr. Cornyn);
  The Senator from Utah (Mr. Hatch);
  The Senator from Wyoming (Mr. Barrasso);
  The Senator from Missouri (Mr. Blunt);
  The Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker);
  The Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski);
  The Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Corker);
  The Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin);
  The Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray);
  The Senator from Maryland (Mr. Cardin); and
  The Senator from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono);
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Acting Dean of 
the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Hersey Kyota, the Ambassador of Palau.
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps entered the Hall of the House 
of Representatives and took the seat reserved for him.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms announced the Cabinet of the 
President of the United States.
  The members of the Cabinet of the President of the United States 
entered the Hall of the House of Representatives and took the seats 
reserved for them in front of the Speaker's rostrum.
  At 11 o'clock and 13 minutes a.m., the Sergeant at Arms, the 
Honorable Paul D. Irving, announced His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime 
Minister of Japan.
  The Prime Minister of Japan, escorted by the committee of Senators 
and Representatives, entered the Hall of the House of Representatives 
and stood at the Clerk's desk.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  The SPEAKER. Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and the 
distinct honor of presenting to you His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime 
Minister of Japan.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  Prime Minster ABE. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, distinguished 
Members of the Senate and the House, distinguished guests, ladies and 
gentlemen.
  Back in June 1957, Nobusuke Kishi, my grandfather, standing right 
here as Prime Minister of Japan, began his address by saying, ``It is 
because of our strong belief in democratic principles and ideals that 
Japan associates herself with the free nations of the world.''
  Fifty-eight years have passed. Today, I am honored to stand here as 
the first Japanese Prime Minister ever to address your joint session. I 
extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for inviting me. I have lots of 
things to tell you. But I am here with no ability, nor the intention, 
to filibuster.
  As I stand in front of you today, the names of your distinguished 
colleagues that Japan welcomed as your Ambassadors come back to me: the 
Honorable Mike Mansfield, Walter Mondale, Tom Foley, and Howard Baker. 
On behalf of the Japanese people, thank you so very, very much for 
sending us such shining champions of democracy.
  Ambassador Caroline Kennedy also embodies the tradition of American 
democracy. Thank you. Thank you, Ambassador Kennedy, for all the 
dynamic work you have done for all of us.
  We all miss Senator Inouye, who symbolized the honor and achievements 
of Japanese Americans.
  Ladies and gentlemen, my first encounter with America goes back to my 
days as a student when I spent a spell in California. A lady named 
Catherine Del Francia let me live in her house. She was a widow and 
always spoke of her late husband, saying, ``You know, he was much more 
handsome than Gary Cooper.'' She meant it. She really did.
  In the gallery, you see my wife, Akie, is there. I don't dare ask 
what she says about me.
  Mrs. Del Francia's Italian cooking was simply out of this world. She 
was cheerful and so kind as to let lots and lots of people stop by at 
her house. They were so diverse. I was amazed and said to myself, 
``America is an awesome country.''
  Later, I took a job at a steelmaker, and I was given the chance to 
work in New York.
  Here in the U.S., rank and hierarchy are neither here nor there. 
People advance based on merit. When you discuss things, you don't pay 
much attention to who is junior or senior. You just choose the best 
idea, no matter who the idea was from.
  This culture intoxicated me. So much so, after I got elected as a 
member of the House, some of the old guard in my party would say, 
``Hey, you are so cheeky, Abe.''
  As for my family name, it is not ``Eighb.'' Some Americans do call me 
that every now and then, but I don't take offense.
  That is because, ladies and gentlemen, the Japanese, ever since they 
started modernization, have seen the very foundation for democracy in 
that famous line in the Gettysburg Address. The son of a farmer-
carpenter can become the President. The fact that such a country 
existed woke up the Japanese of the late 19th century to democracy.
  For Japan, our encounter with America was also our encounter with 
democracy, and that was more than 150 years ago, giving us a mature 
history together.
  Before coming over here, I was at the World War II Memorial. It was a 
place of peace and calm that struck me as a sanctuary. The air was 
filled with the sound of water breaking in the fountains.
  In one corner stands the Freedom Wall. More than 4,000 gold stars 
shine on the wall. I gasped with surprise to hear that each star 
represents the lives of 100 fallen soldiers. I believe those gold stars 
are a proud symbol of the sacrifices in defending freedom; but, in 
those gold stars, we also find the pain, sorrow, and love for family of 
young Americans who otherwise would have lived happy lives.
  Pearl Harbor, Bataan, Corregidor, Coral Sea, the battles engraved at 
the memorial crossed my mind, and I reflected upon the lost dreams and 
lost futures of those young Americans. History is harsh. What is done 
cannot be undone. With deep repentance in my heart, I stood there in 
silent prayers for some time.
  My dear friends, on behalf of Japan and the Japanese people, I offer 
with profound respect my eternal condolences to the souls of all 
American people that were lost during World War II.
  Ladies and gentlemen, in the gallery today is Lieutenant General 
Lawrence Snowden.
  Seventy years ago in February, he landed on Ioto, or the island of 
Iwo Jima, as a captain in command of a company. In recent years, 
General Snowden has often participated in the memorial services held 
jointly by Japan and the U.S. on Ioto.
  He said, ``We didn't and don't go to Iwo Jima to celebrate victory, 
but for the solemn purpose to pay tribute to and honor those who lost 
their lives on both sides.''
  Next to General Snowden sits Diet Member Yoshitaka Shindo, who is a 
former member of my Cabinet. His grandfather, General Tadamichi 
Kuribayashi, whose valor we remember even today, was the commander of 
the Japanese garrison during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
  What should we call this, if not a miracle of history? Enemies that 
had fought each other so fiercely have become friends bonded in spirit.
  To General Snowden, I pay tribute to your efforts for reconciliation. 
Thank you so very much.
  Post war, we started out on our path bearing in mind feelings of deep 
remorse over the war. Our actions

[[Page 5761]]

brought suffering to the peoples in Asian countries. We must not avert 
our eyes from that. I will uphold the views expressed by the previous 
Prime Ministers in this regard.
  We must all the more contribute in every respect to the development 
of Asia. We must spare no effort in working for the peace and 
prosperity of the region. Reminding ourselves of all that, we have come 
all this way. I am proud of this path we have taken.
  Seventy years ago, Japan had been reduced to ashes. Then came each 
and every month from the citizens of the United States gifts to Japan, 
like milk for our children and warm sweaters and even goats. Yes, from 
America, 2,036 goats came to Japan.
  And it was Japan that received the biggest benefit from the very 
beginning by the postwar economic system that the U.S. had fostered by 
opening up its own market and calling for a liberal world economy.
  Later on, from the 1980s, we saw the rise of the Republic of Korea, 
Taiwan, the ASEAN countries, and, before long, China as well. This 
time, Japan too devotedly poured in capital and technologies to support 
their growths.
  Meanwhile, in the U.S., Japan created more employment than any other 
foreign nation but one, coming second only to the U.K. In this way, 
prosperity was fostered first by the U.S. and second by Japan. And 
prosperity is nothing less than the seedbed for peace.
  Involving countries in Asia Pacific whose backgrounds vary, the U.S. 
and Japan must take the lead. We must take the lead to build a market 
that is fair, dynamic, sustainable, and is also free from the arbitrary 
intentions of any nation.
  In the Pacific market, we cannot overlook sweatshops or burdens on 
the environment, nor can we simply allow free riders on intellectual 
property. No. Instead, we can spread our shared values around the world 
and have them take root: the rule of law, democracy, and freedom. That 
is exactly what the TPP is all about.
  Furthermore, the TPP goes far beyond just economic benefits. It is 
also about our security. Long term, its strategic value is awesome. We 
should never forget that.
  The TPP covers an area that accounts for 40 percent of the world 
economy and one-third of global trade. We must turn the area into a 
region for lasting peace and prosperity. That is for the sake of our 
children and our children's children.
  As for U.S.-Japan negotiations, the goal is near. Let us bring the 
TPP to a successful conclusion through our joint leadership.
  As a matter of fact, I have something I can tell you now. It was 
about 20 years ago. The GATT negotiations for agriculture were going 
on. I was much younger and like a ball of fire and opposed to opening 
Japan's agricultural market. I even joined farmers' representatives in 
a rally in front of the parliament.
  However, Japan's agriculture has gone into decline over these last 20 
years. The average age of our farmers has gone up by 10 years and is 
now more than 66 years old.
  Japan's agriculture is at a crossroads. In order for it to survive, 
it has to change now. We are bringing great reforms toward the 
agriculture policy that has been in place for decades. We are also 
bringing sweeping reforms to our agricultural cooperatives that have 
not been changed in 60 long years.
  Corporate governance in Japan is now fully in line with global 
standards because we made it stronger. Rock-solid regulations are being 
broken in such sectors as medicine and energy. And I am the spearhead.
  To turn around our depopulation, I am determined to do whatever it 
takes. We are changing some of our old habits to empower women so they 
can get more actively engaged in all walks of life.
  In short, Japan is right in the middle of a quantum leap.
  My dear Members of the Congress, please do come and see the new 
Japan, where we have regained our spirit of reform and our sense of 
speed. Japan will not run away from any reforms. We keep our eyes only 
on the road ahead and push forward with structural reforms. That is 
TINA: There Is No Alternative. And there is no doubt about it 
whatsoever.
  My dear colleagues, the peace and security of the postwar world was 
not possible without American leadership. Looking back, it makes me 
happy all the time that Japan of years past made the right decision. As 
I told you at the outset, citing my grandfather, that decision was to 
choose a path. That is the path for Japan to ally itself with the U.S. 
and to go forward as a member of the Western world.
  In the end, together with the U.S. and other like-minded democracies, 
we won the cold war. That is the path that made Japan grow and prosper, 
and even today, there is no alternative.
  My dear colleagues, we support the ``rebalancing'' by the U.S. in 
order to enhance the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific region, and 
I will state clearly: we will support the U.S. effort first, last, and 
throughout.
  Japan has deepened its strategic relations with Australia and India. 
We are enhancing our cooperation across many fields with the countries 
of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea. Adding those partners to the 
central pillar that is the U.S.-Japan alliance, our region will get 
stable remarkably more.
  Now, Japan will provide up to $2.8 billion in assistance to help 
improve U.S. bases in Guam, which will gain strategic significance even 
more in the future.
  As regards the state of Asian waters, let me underscore here my three 
principles: first, states shall make their claims based on 
international law; second, they shall not use force or coercion to 
drive their claims; and, third, to settle disputes--any disputes--they 
shall do so by peaceful means.
  We must make the vast seas stretching from the Pacific to the Indian 
Oceans seas of peace and freedom, where all follow the rule of law. For 
that very reason, we must fortify the U.S.-Japan alliance. That is our 
responsibility.
  Now, let me tell you. In Japan, we are working hard to enhance the 
legislative foundations for our security.
  Once in place, Japan will be much more able to provide a seamless 
response for all levels of crisis. These enhanced legislative 
foundations should make the cooperation between the U.S. military and 
Japan's Self-Defense Forces even stronger, and the alliance still more 
solid, providing credible deterrence for the peace in the region. This 
reform is the first of its kind and a sweeping one in our postwar 
history. We will achieve this by this coming summer.
  Now, I have something to share with you.
  The day before yesterday, Secretaries Kerry and Carter met our 
Foreign Minister Kishida and Defense Minister Nakatani for 
consultations. As a result, we now have a new framework, a framework to 
better put together the forces of the U.S. and Japan, a framework that 
is in line with the legislative attempts going on in Japan. That is 
what is necessary to build peace, more reliable peace in the region. 
And that is, namely, the new defense cooperation guidelines.
  Yesterday, President Obama and I fully agreed on the significance of 
these guidelines. Ladies and gentlemen, we agreed on a document that is 
historic.
  In the early 1990s, in the Persian Gulf, Japan's Self-Defense Forces 
swept away sea mines. For 10 years, in the Indian Ocean, Japanese Self-
Defense Forces supported your operation to stop the flow of terrorists 
and arms. Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the Golan Heights, Iraq, Haiti, and 
South Sudan, members of our Self-Defense Forces provided humanitarian 
support and peacekeeping operations. Their number amounts to 50,000.
  Based on this track record, we are resolved to take yet more 
responsibility for the peace and stability in the world. It is for that 
purpose we are determined to enact all necessary bills by this coming 
summer. And we will do exactly that.
  We must make sure human security will be preserved in addition to 
national security. That is our belief, firm and solid.

[[Page 5762]]

  We must do our best so that every individual gets education, medical 
support, and an opportunity to rise to be self-reliant. Armed conflicts 
have always made women suffer the most. In our age, we must realize the 
kind of world where finally women are free from human rights abuses.
  Our servicemen and -women have made substantial accomplishments. So 
have our aid workers, who have worked so steadily. Their combined sum 
has given us a new self-identity.
  That is why we now hold up high a new banner that is ``proactive 
contribution to peace based on the principle of international 
cooperation.'' Let me repeat. ``Proactive contribution to peace based 
on the principle of international cooperation'' should lead Japan along 
its road for the future.
  Problems we face include terrorism, infectious diseases, natural 
disasters, and climate change. The time has come for the U.S.-Japan 
alliance to face up to and jointly tackle those challenges that are 
new. After all, our alliance has lasted more than a quarter of the 
entire history of the United States. It is an alliance that is sturdy, 
bound in trust and friendship, deep between us.
  No new concept should ever be necessary for the alliance that 
connects us, the biggest and the second biggest democratic powers in 
the free world, in working together. Always, it is an alliance that 
cherishes our shared values of the rule of law, respect for human 
rights, and freedom.
  When I was young in high school and listened to the radio, there was 
a song that flew out and shook my heart. It was a song by Carole King.

       When you're down and troubled . . . close your eyes and 
     think of me, and I will be there to brighten up even your 
     darkest night.

  And that day, March 11, 2011, a big quake, a tsunami, and a nuclear 
accident hit the northeastern part of Japan. The darkest night fell 
upon Japan. But it was then we saw the U.S. Armed Forces rushing to 
Japan to the rescue at a scale never seen or heard before. Lots and 
lots of people from all corners of the U.S. extended the hand of 
assistance to the children in the disaster areas. Yes, we have got a 
friend in you. Together, with the victims, you shed tears. You gave us 
something, something very, very precious. That was hope, hope for the 
future.
  Ladies and gentlemen, the finest asset the U.S. has to give to the 
world was hope, is hope, will be and must always be hope.
  Distinguished representatives of the citizens of the United States, 
let us call the U.S.-Japan alliance an alliance of hope. Let the two of 
us, America and Japan, join our hands together and do our best to make 
the world a better--a much better--place to live.
  Alliance of hope: together, we can make a difference.
  Thank you so much.
  (Applause, the Members rising.)
  At 12 o'clock and 8 minutes p.m., His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime 
Minister of Japan, accompanied by the committee of escort, retired from 
the Hall of the House of Representatives.
  The Assistant to the Sergeant at Arms escorted the invited guests 
from the Chamber in the following order:
  The members of the President's Cabinet;
  The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

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