In the News

The United States-Japan relationship is one of incredible strength and promise. Strength to do wonderful things: to promote democracy, to protect human rights, and to ensure security for ourselves and for our allies around the world. One of my primary goals as founding Co-Chair of the bipartisan U.S.-Japan Caucus in Congress is to foster greater understanding and closer ties between our two nations. The more robust our partnership, the more each of our countries can not only benefit economically but also contribute to a safer Asia-Pacific region.

A U.S. congressman working on forging closer ties with Japan pledges to bolster his contribution to bilateral cooperation in such areas as disaster relief and nuclear power plant safety.

"Our earthquake and tsunami predictive technology can never be too good," Joaquin Castro, a leading member of the bipartisan U.S.-Japan Caucus, said during an interview with Kyodo News ahead of the fifth anniversary of the 2011 mega earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan.

This year is a historic one for the United States and Japan. We marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the beginning of a lasting peace between our two nations. In the spring, I was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the first Japanese Prime Minister to address a joint session of Congress. Though separated by a vast ocean, the United States and Japan remain close, critical allies and partners.

San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro last month traveled to Japan to meet with Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy regarding Japan's investment in the U.S., and particularly in San Antonio and Texas.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will address a joint meeting of Congress — a first for a Japanese prime minister and a remarkable symbol of the strength of the relationship between the United States and Japan. Abe will speak to Congress from the very same place President Franklin Delano Roosevelt stood and asked Congress to declare war against Imperial Japan. This year marks 70 years since the end of World War II, and the prime minister's speech is a testament to the U.S.-Japan relationship's transformation since that time.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is making plans to visit the United States later this month. His visit will come at a time when relations between the two countries are strong and growing stronger.

A high-level State Department official agrees that the U.S. and Japanese governments hold similar positions on many issues.

In recent years, Japan has supported U.S. policies and actions in many parts of the world. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he welcomes Japan's increasingly active involvement in the international community.

There is optimism about strengthening relations between the U.S. and Japan days ahead of a state visit April 28 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the United States. This sentiment was on display after comments by a senior U.S. official in Washington and rare bipartisan support by some members of Congress.

"We are close partners on the world stage, fighting Ebola, mitigating the impact of climate change, countering violent extremism, eliminating the threat of ISIL and other groups that challenge us," said Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken.