WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement today after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress:
“Prime Minister Kishida’s heartfelt speech reaffirmed the close diplomatic, economic, and security ties between Japan and the United States and laid the groundwork for future collaboration on everything from countering illiberal regimes to exploring opportunities in artificial intelligence and outer space. Our two countries stand as beacons of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law in the Pacific and around the world and Japan’s increased coordination with the U.S. armed forces demonstrates a commitment to playing a greater role in preserving global peace and stability.
“I applaud Prime Minister Kishida’s eloquent and forceful support of Ukraine, which stems from a shared belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of a sovereign nation is a threat to peace far beyond Europe. We must stand together and stop Putin before his actions embolden other anti-democratic regimes throughout the world. I urge my colleagues in the Senate and particularly in the House of Representatives to listen carefully to what Prime Minister Kishida said today and ensure that the United States, along with allies like Japan, remains indispensable to the world.”
Senator Coons is Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.