On December 3, both Houses of Japanese Parliament, the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors, passed resolutions on the 150th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United States.
Recognizing the importance of the 150th anniversary of Japan-U.S. relations, where both countries are united by friendship and shared values, the resolutions affirm that Japan will continue, as a partner of mutual trust, to work with the United States toward realizing regional development and international peace.
Prime Minister Koizumi, in policy speeches on the resolutions, stated, “ Japan will extend its utmost effort to make the Japan-U.S. relations even closer and to realize peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.”
A provisional translation of the resolution passed by the House of Representative is as follows:
Resolution on the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Japan-U.S. Relations and the Furtherance of the U.S.-Japan Relationship
One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1854, Japan signed the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity, which marked the first time Japan had ever exchanged official documents with a foreign government. With this Treaty, Japan established an official relationship with the United States of America and took its first step into the modern world.
Since that time, even though the two countries endured a harsh war 60 years ago, we overcame our difficulties and went on to give life to a historically strong partnership. Today, both countries are united by strong ties of friendship, share the basic values of freedom, democracy and basic human rights, and cooperate closely to achieve peace and prosperity in the world. The broad-ranging exchanges that continue to thrive between the two countries find foundation in the spirit of respect and goodwill by their peoples for each other’s culture and humanity.
On this occasion of the 150th Anniversary of Japan-U.S. relations, this legislative body affirms that the close, excellent relations that exist between Japan and the United States serve not just Japan, but significantly contribute to the peace and stability of the entire Asia-Pacific region, and further, it hereby resolves that Japan will continue to exert the utmost effort to build upon this relationship of trust as a full partner, and through active and frank exchanges of view, work toward realizing regional development and international peace.
[Related Links]
* Embassy of Japan : 150 th Anniversary of Japan-U.S. Relations
* Press Release: U.S. Congress passes United States - Japan Anniversary Resolution
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