Kishida reminds Congress of commitments
WASHINGTON — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida addressed US lawmakers at the Capitol on Thursday, urging them to consider the importance of global commitments at a time of tension in the Asia-Pacific and deep skepticism in Congress about US involvement abroad.
Kishida is in Washington this week visiting President Biden as the White House completes hosting each leader of the Quad — an informal partnership between the US, Japan, Australia, and India that is seen as important to countering China’s growing military strength in the region.
Kishida highlighted the value of the US commitment to global security and offered reassurances that Japan is a strong partner.
On Capitol Hill, his audience included many Republicans who have pushed for the US to take a less active role in global affairs as they follow the “America First” ethos of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
The Republican-controlled House has sat for months on a $95 billion package that would send wartime funding to Ukraine and Israel, as well as aid to allies in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan and humanitarian help to civilians in Gaza and Ukraine.
“As we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of selfdoubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be,” Kishida told Congress.
He sought to remind lawmakers of the leading role the US has played globally since World War II. After dropping two nuclear weapons on Japan to end the war, the US helped rebuild Japan, and the nations transformed from bitter enemies to close allies.
“When necessary, it made noble sacrifices to fulfill its commitment to a better world,” Kishida said of the US.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said earlier this week that he hoped Kishida’s visit would underscore “that we’re in a worldwide situation here against the enemies of democracy — led by China, Russia, and Iran.”