Japanese PM Fumio Kishida addresses U.S. 'self-doubt' about world role in remarks to Congress
Last edited Thu Apr 11, 2024, 01:13 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: NBC News
April 11, 2024, 9:31 AM EDT / Updated April 11, 2024, 11:51 AM EDT
WASHINGTON — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida asserted in an address to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday that his country stands with the U.S. at a time when history is at a turning point. Kishida said the U.S. held a certain reputation decades ago that "shaped the international order" and "championed freedom and democracy."
"You believed that freedom is the oxygen of humanity," he said. "The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations. And yet, as we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be."
Kishida said that this is happening when the world is "at history's turning point" as "freedom and democracy are currently under threat around the globe," climate change is causing natural disasters, and technology such as artificial intelligence is advancing. Japan is facing "an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge" from China," the prime minister said. He also spoke about the threats from North Korea and from Russia in Ukraine.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as the United States’ closest friend, tomodachi, the people of Japan are with you, side by side, to assure the survival of liberty," he said. "Not just for our people, but for all people."
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/japanese-prime-minister-fumio-kishida-address-congress-joint-meeting-rcna147339
Article updated.
Original article/headline -
April 11, 2024, 9:31 AM EDT / Updated April 11, 2024, 10:59 AM EDT
WASHINGTON — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, a day after his government upgraded his country's security alliance with the U.S. and ahead of a trilateral leaders' summit with the U.S. and Philippines.
Kishida is set to address both the House and Senate at 11 a.m. ET, marking only the second time that Japan's prime minister will formally deliver remarks to Congress. The first was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015, and Kishida was in attendance for that speech as foreign minister. The last address to lawmakers from a foreign leader was Israeli President Isaac Herzog in July 2023.
Thursday's address marked the first joint meeting with a foreign leader since Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., took the gavel. Vice President Kamala Harris is also presiding over the chamber during the speech.
Congressional leaders invited Kishida to speak to both chambers in early March, with Johnson saying in a statement that it was part of an effort to lay "the foundation for collaboration in the years to come."
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