Name: Japan’s Kishida Urges US to Maintain Its ‘Pivotal Role’ in the World
Uploaded: 2024-04-11T21:54:55.000Z
Description: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint meeting of Congress during his visit to Washington on April 11. He shared his nation's commitment to being the United States's closest global partner and emphasized that America must retain its place as a champion of freedom and democracy worldwide.

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

NTD Plus

News

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

Trump Announces National Garden of American Heroes Plans

Top Officer: Navy Funding Could Lapse by July

UK Health Secretary Quits Starmer’s Cabinet

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Paul Greaney

Chinese Leader Hates It When ‘Human Rights’ Is Raised: Col. Grant Newsham on Trump’s China Visit

Man Convicted of $1 Billion Medicare Fraud in Florida

Retail Sales Rose for 3rd Straight Month in April

Former Spirit Airlines Workers Sue for Pay, Benefits

Bessent: China Needs Hormuz Strait Open More Than US

Victoria Friedman is a UK-based reporter covering a wide range of national stories.

Victoria Friedman

World News

Middle East

Israel–Hamas War

Netanyahu Considers Suing New York Times Over Column Alleging Rape of Palestinian Prisoners

Russia Unleashes Heaviest Wartime Drone Assault on Ukraine

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 14)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 11)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 5)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (May 4)

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed a joint meeting of Congress during his visit to Washington on April 11. He shared his nation's commitment to being the United States's closest global partner and emphasized that America must retain its place as a champion of freedom and democracy worldwide.

"I want you to know how seriously Japan takes its role as the United States's closest ally," he said. "Together, we carry large responsibilities. I believe we are essential to peace, vital to freedom, and fundamental to prosperity."

Mr. Kishida praised the United States for shaping the post-war world, championing freedom and democracy, working for "the stability and prosperity of nations like Japan," and making "noble sacrifices to fulfill its commitment to a better world."

However, the prime minister said the international order that the United States has spent generations building is facing new challenges and that the world is at an inflection point that will define the next stage of humanity. He also addressed what he perceived as "self-doubt" among Americans regarding the nation's role.

Mr. Kishida addressed his nation's position on various challenges that garnered bipartisan applause. He shared his nation's continued commitment to Ukraine's war against Russia, saying, "The Ukraine of today may be the East Asia of tomorrow." He spoke about the need to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific with challenges imposed by communist China, as well as his work toward the vision of nuclear disarmament.

He also called out "new forms of oppression" that are being imposed on the world, such as "debt trap diplomacy." He specifically mentioned censorship, monitoring, and control of social media, and told Congress he did not want to leave children "in a society where human rights are suppressed, where political self-determination is denied, where our lives are monitored by digital technology."

"The United States's policy was based on the premise that humanity does not want to live oppressed by an authoritarian state where you are tracked and surveilled and denied from expressing what is in your heart and on your mind," he said. "You believe that freedom is the oxygen of humanity.

"The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations."

However, Mr. Kishida also said he wanted Americans to know that Japan would be by their side in these continued efforts, and mentioned through his speech his nation's work with NATO, the Group of Seven, and multi-lateral cooperations with Indo-Pacific nations like Australia, the Philippines, India, and its still-newfound friendship with the Republic of Korea.

The prime minister also touched on the personal and economic connection between the United States and Japan. He reflected on his childhood spent living in Queens and echoed his commitment to provide 250 new cherry trees to Washington in honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America's independence.

He also reiterated the financial investments made, creating nearly 1 million American jobs, and the emerging partnerships to lead the world in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum conductors, biotechnology, and clean energy. He also praised his country's partnership in space exploration, reiterating that a Japanese national will be the first non-American to set foot on the moon via NASA's Artemis program.

Mr. Kishida became the first Japanese prime minister to speak before the Senate and House of Representatives since his predecessor, the late Shinzo Abe, gave a speech titled "Toward an Alliance of Hope."

According to the <a href="https://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/joint_sessions.pdf" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">U.S. Senate</a>, joint sessions are more formal and are typically held to hear an address from the president or count electoral votes while joint meetings are held to hear an address from a foreign dignitary or visitor other than the president.
<h2>Japan Is 'Critically Important'</h2>
After the speech, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said that Mr. Kishida described "powerfully that we stand together and that the world order as we know it and the preservation of freedom depends on strong allies with American leadership."

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) complimented the prime minister's speech, calling it a "terrific, very nice job," and said that Japan is "critically important" from a national security and economic standpoint.

Legislative leaders released <a href="https://www.speaker.gov/speaker-johnson-leader-schumer-leader-mcconnell-leader-jeffries-announce-japanese-prime-minister-to-address-joint-meeting-of-congress/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%94%20Speaker%20Johnson%2C%20Majority%20Leader,Thursday%2C%20April%2011%2C%202024." target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">a joint statement</a> last month expressing their enthusiasm for the visit, stating Mr. Kishida's visit "symbolizes both nations’ commitment to peace and prosperity and to an international community that promotes democracy, security, and stability." Both House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) emphasized the importance of the United States to continue to speak out against tyranny and authoritarian regimes around the world.

“The U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, signed more than 60 years ago, still serves as a shining example of international cooperation and diplomacy," Mr. Johnson said. "We are stronger together, and our alliance is a cornerstone of stability and security for both our nations and the world.”

“I am honored to join my colleagues in inviting Prime Minister Kishida to speak before the United States Congress in his first ever Joint Address," Mr. Schumer said. "Japan is a close ally—critical to both our national and economic security. This visit will continue to deepen the diplomatic and security relationship between our two countries and build on the strength of decades of cooperation.”

Mr. Kishida's speech in front of the joint meeting of Congress comes the day after he and President Joe Biden held a bilateral summit that resulted in an ambitious military and economic upgrade to the strong alliance.

Later today, he will participate in the first-ever trilateral summit with President Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/japans-kishida-urges-us-to-maintain-its-pivotal-role-in-the-world-5626827">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

japan

Videos

Politics

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

International

Asia &amp; Pacific

Congress

Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, T.J. Muscaro covers the Sunshine State, America's space industry, the theme park industry, and family-related issues.

T.J. Muscaro

Luis Eduardo Martinez is a correspondent for NTD News based in Washington. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster in London, England.

Luis Eduardo Martinez

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.