III 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 153 

Recognizing the importance of the United States-Japan relationship to 

safeguarding global security, prosperity, and human rights. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 28, 2015 

Mr. CORKER (for himself, Mr. CARDIN, Mr. GARDNER, Mr. RUBIO, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. SCHATZ, Mr. MENENDEZ, and Mr. PERDUE) 

submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance of the United States-Japan relationship to safeguarding global security, prosperity, and 

human rights. 

Whereas the United States-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of 

global peace and stability and underscores the past, 

present, and future United States commitment to the 

stability and prosperity of Japan and the Asia-Pacific region; 

Whereas the United States and Japan established diplomatic 

relations on March 31, 1854, with the signing of the 

Treaty of Peace and Amity; 

Whereas 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of 

World War II, a conflict where the United States and 

Japan were enemies, and the strength of the alliance is 


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•SRES 153 ATS 

a testament to the ability of great nations to overcome 

the past and to work together to create a more secure 

and prosperous future; 

Whereas January 19, 2015, marked the 55th anniversary of 

the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan; 

Whereas the United States and Japan are both free societies 

committed to the principles of inclusive democracy, respect for human potential and individual character, and 

the belief that the peaceful spread of these principles will 

result in a safer and brighter future for all of mankind; 

Whereas the Governments and people of the United States 

and Japan can help realize this future through further 

strengthening their economic, political, social, cultural, 

and security relationship; 

Whereas the United States and Japan are indispensable partners in tackling global challenges, and have pledged significant support for efforts to counter violent extremism, 

including the threat of ISIL; combat the proliferation of 

weapons of mass destruction; prevent piracy; improve 

global health; promote human rights; contribute to economic development around the world; and assist the victims of conflict and disaster worldwide; 

Whereas the Governments and people of the United States 

and Japan share a commitment to free and open markets, high standards for the free flow of commerce and 

trade, and the establishment of an inclusive architecture 

for regional and global trade and development; 

Whereas Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has also reiterated that 

his cabinet will uphold the stance on the recognition of 


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•SRES 153 ATS 

history of previous prime ministers, including the 

Murayama statement; 

Whereas the United States-Japan security alliance has 

evolved considerably over many decades and will continue 

to transform as a partnership, sharing greater responsibilities, dedicated to ensuring a secure and prosperous 

region and world; 

Whereas the Government of Japan has reinterpreted its constitution to allow for the collective self-defense of its allies, including the United States, an action that strengthens the alliance’s ability to defend Japan and to continue 

to safeguard regional security; 

Whereas the United States-Japan alliance is essential for ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation, commerce, and overflight in the waters of the East China 

Sea; 

Whereas Japan stands as a strong partner of the United 

States in efforts to uphold respect for the rule of law and 

to oppose the use of coercion, intimidation, or force to 

change the regional or global status quo, including in the 

East and South China Seas, which are among the busiest 

waterways in the world; 

Whereas the United States and Japan are committed to 

working together towards a world where the Democratic 

People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not threaten 

global peace and security with its weapons of mass destruction and illicit activities, and where the DPRK respects human rights and people can live in freedom; 

Whereas the United States and Japan have a long history of 

successful technical cooperation and joint scientific research and development; 


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•SRES 153 ATS 

Whereas, on May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and Japanese-Americans have 

made significant contributions to the advancement, including our former colleague, the late Senator Daniel 

Inouye, of the United States; 

Whereas people-to-people ties between the United States and 

Japan are long-standing and deep, as exemplified by the 

gift of the beautiful cherry trees which dot our nation’s 

capital from the People of Japan to the People of the 

United States in 1912, signifying an unbreakable bond 

between the two nations; and 

Whereas, on April 29, 2015, Prime Minister Abe will address 

a Joint Meeting of Congress at the invitation of the 

Speaker of the House: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, 

2 SECTION 1. SENSE OF THE SENATE. 

3 The Senate— 

4 (1) reaffirms the importance of the United 

5 States-Japan alliance for maintaining peace and sta6 bility in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, includ7 ing through United States extended deterrence, the 

8 revision of the Guidelines for United States-Japan 

9 Defense Cooperation, and Japan’s policy of 

10 ‘‘Proactive Contribution to Peace’’ based on the 

11 principles of international cooperation; 

12 (2) supports ongoing efforts to further 

13 strengthen the United States-Japan alliance to conVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:12 Apr 28, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR153.ATS SR153

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1 front emerging challenges, including cyber and 

2 space; 

3 (3) supports strong cooperation between the 

4 United States and Japan in safeguarding maritime 

5 security and ensuring freedom of navigation, com6 merce, and overflight in the East and South China 

7 Seas; 

8 (4) recognizes that although the United States 

9 Government does not take a position on the ultimate 

10 sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands, the United 

11 States acknowledges that they are under the admin12 istration of Japan and opposes any unilateral ac13 tions that would seek to undermine such administra14 tion; 

15 (5) reaffirms that the unilateral actions of a 

16 third party will not affect the United States ac17 knowledgment of the administration of Japan over 

18 the Senkaku Islands and that the United States re19 mains committed under the Treaty of Mutual Co20 operation and Security to respond to any armed at21 tack in the territories under the administration of 

22 Japan; 

23 (6) recognizes the support of the Government of 

24 Japan in addressing global challenges that threaten 

25 the security of people everywhere; 


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1 (7) supports the expansion of academic and cul2 tural exchanges between the United States and 

3 Japan, especially efforts to encourage Japanese stu4 dents to study at universities in the United States, 

5 and vice versa, to deepen people-to-people ties; 

6 (8) encourages the expansion of scientific re7 search and development and technical cooperation 

8 with Japan, to address global challenges; 

9 (9) promotes deepening the economic and trade 

10 ties between the United States and Japan, including 

11 the empowerment of women, which is vital for the 

12 prosperity of both our nations, the Asia Pacific re13 gion, and the world; and 

14 (10) calls for continued cooperation between the 

15 Governments of the United States and Japan in the 

16 promotion of human rights. 

17 SEC. 2. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 

18 Nothing in this resolution shall be construed as a dec19 laration of war or authorization to use force. 

Æ 


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