REP. ANDY BARR AND REP. DIANA DEGETTE RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON THE U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONGRESSIONAL STUDY GROUP ON JAPAN CO-CHAIR REP. ANDY BARR AND REP. DIANA DEGETTE RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON THE U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP

Washington, DC — The Co-Chair of The Former Members of Congress Association (FMC)’s Congressional Study Group on Japan (CSGJ), Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), penned a joint statement in support of the U.S.-Japan relationship. This statement coincided with the Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Washington, DC.

The Congressional Study Groups are bipartisan, non-advocacy legislative exchanges that enable current Members of Congress and senior congressional staff to engage in substantive policy discussions focused on the United States’ key allies.

Read the full statement below.
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The U.S.–Japan relationship stands as one of the most important alliances in the world, rooted in our shared democratic values, deep economic ties, and a mutual commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to this relationship and remain dedicated to the deep bond we’ve shared with Japan for decades.

Our nations stand as two of the world’s largest economies, and as such play an indispensable role in advancing global stability, driving innovation, and creating opportunity for workers, businesses, and everyday people across North America, Asia, and beyond.

Recently, the U.S. and Japan reached an agreement to expand our economic partnership through $550 billion in enhanced trade and investment, marking a significant milestone in that alliance. This historic framework will strengthen critical supply chains, expand market access, and support American jobs. The impact is tangible here at home, including at the Toyota manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky—where almost 10,000 Kentuckians build the automobiles of the future at the largest Toyota manufacturing facility in North America.

We are proud to work together in a bipartisan manner to deepen the bonds between our countries. By fostering strong relationships across party lines and across the Pacific, we are committed to ensuring the U.S.–Japan alliance continues to grow, innovate, and deliver lasting results for the American and Japanese people for generations to come.

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