Nashville Standard

WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, welcomed Prime Minister Kishida as he began his official visit to the United States.

"I am pleased to welcome Japanese Prime Minister Kishida for his Official Visit to the United States and, as former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I am especially honored to have led the successful bipartisan effort requesting that congressional leaders invite the Prime Minister to give an address to a Joint Meeting of Congress," Senator Hagerty stated.

Senator Hagerty highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in the face of regional challenges, stating, "The United States and Japan continue to strengthen the Alliance as our nations face critical challenges in the region, including North Korean nuclear and missile threats and China’s growing military aggression in the Indo-Pacific."

Regarding Prime Minister Kishida's efforts to enhance the Alliance, Senator Hagerty noted, "In particular, Prime Minister Kishida has made great strides to strengthen the Alliance by increasing Japan’s defense spending, acquiring long-range counterstrike capabilities, and working with the United States to strengthen trilateral partnerships respectively with South Korea and now the Philippines."

Emphasizing the significance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, Senator Hagerty stated, "The U.S.-Japan Alliance forms the cornerstone of peace and security in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

Concluding his statement, Senator Hagerty reaffirmed his commitment to deepening ties with Japan, saying, "I believe our relationship with Japan is one of our most important alliances in the world. As Senator, I will continue to do all I can to strengthen our bilateral diplomatic, economic, technological, and military ties with Japan and to ensure the Alliance reaches new heights."