04.29.15

Sullivan Applauds Japanese Prime Minister Abe’s Address to Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement today after attending Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s historic joint address to Congress:

“Today, Prime Minister Abe delivered a powerful and heartfelt message to Congress about the strong ties between our two countries,” Sen. Sullivan said.  “From my meeting with him earlier this month, I know firsthand that his resolute commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance goes well beyond his words.  Japan’s investment in the rebalance of U.S. forces to Guam – $2.8 billion – and his words about the Trans-Pacific Partnership being an important part of our shared security relationship in the Pacific, cannot be understated.  I appreciated Prime Minister Abe’s historic joint address to Congress, and I look forward to working with him to advance the aims of both our countries and to continue the decades-long economic and energy relationship between Japan and Alaska, and the significant opportunities that exist for increasing exports of LNG from Alaska to Japan.”

Prime Minister Abe’s address to Congress comes less than a month after Senator Sullivan visit to Japan – where he met with the Japanese Prime Minister.  On Monday, Senator Sullivan met with Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani to discuss the new U.S.-Japan security guidelines.

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