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Toward an Alliance of Hope
Address to aJointMeeting ofthe US. Congress
ShinzoAbe, Prime Minister of Japan
April 29, 2015

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President,
distinguished members of the Senate
and the House, distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen,

Back in June, 1957, Nobusuke Kishi, my
grandfather, standing right here, as
Prime Minister of Japan, began his
address, by saying, and I quote,

"It is because of our strong belief in
democratic principles and ideals that
Japan associates herself with the free
nations of the world."

58 years have passed. Today, I am
honored to stand here as the ?rst
Japanese Prime Minister ever to
address your joint meeting. I extend my
heartfelt gratitude to you for inviting
me.

I have lots of things to tell you. But I am
here with no ability, nor the
intention, ?libuster.

As I stand in front of you today, the
names of your distinguished colleagues
that Japan welcomed as your
ambassadors come back to me: the
honorable Mike Mans?eld, Walter
Mondale, Tom Foley, and Howard
Baker.

 

On behalf of the Japanese people, thank
you so very much for sending us such
shining champions of democracy.

Ambassador Caroline Kennedy also
embodies the tradition of American
democracy. Thank you so much,
Ambassador Kennedy, for all the
dynamic work you have done for all of
us.

We all miss Senator Daniel Inouye, who
symbolized the honor and achievements
of apanese-Amelicans.

AMERICA AND I

Indies and gentlemen, my ?rst
encounter with America goes back to my
days as a student, when I spent a spell in
California.

A lady named Catherine Del Francia let
me live in her house.

She was a widow, and always spoke of
her late husband saying, ?You know, he
was much more handsome than Gary
Cooper.? She meant it. She really did.

In the gallery, you see, my wife, Akie, is
there. I don't dare ask what she says
about me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mrs. Del Francia?s Italian cooking was
simply out of this world. She was
cheerful, and so kind, as to let lots and
lots of people stop by at her house.

They were so diverse. I was amazed and
said to myself, "America is an awesome
country."

later, I took a job at a steelmaker, and I
was given the chance to work in New
York

Here in the US. rank and hierarchy are
neither here nor there. People advance
based on merit. When you discuss
things you don't pay much attention to
who is junior or senior. You just choose
the best idea, no matter who the idea
was 

This culture intoxicated me.

So much so, after I got elected as a
member of the House, some of the old
guard in my party would say, "hey,
you?re so cheeky, Abe."

AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND
JAPAN

As for my family name, it is not ?Eighb.?

Some Americans do call me that every
now and then, but I don?t take offense.

That's because, ladies and gentlemen,
the Japanese, ever since they started
modernization, have seen the very
foundation for democracy in that
famous line in the Address.

II


 

The son of a farmer-carpenter can
become the President.. The fact that
such a country existed woke up the
Japanese of the late 19th century to
democracy.

For Japan, our encounter with America
was also our encounter with democracy.
And that was more than 150 years ago,
giving us a mature history together.

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL

Before coming over here, I was at the
World War II Memorial. It was a place
of peace and calm that struck me as a
sanctuary. The air was ?lled with the
sound of water breaking in the
fountains.

In one corner stands the Freedom Wall.
More than 4,000 gold stars shine on the
wall.

I gasped with surprise to hear that each
star represents the lives of 100 fallen
soldiers.

Ibelieve those gold stars are a proud
symbol of the sacri?ces in defending
freedom. But in those gold stars, we also
?nd the pain, sorrow, and love for
family of young Americans who
otherwise would have lived happy lives.

Pearl Harbor, Bataan Corregidor, Coral
 The battles engraved at the
Memorial crossed my mind, and I
re?ected upon the lost dreams and lost
futures of those young Americans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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History is harsh. What is done cannot
be undone.

With deep repentance in my heart, I
stood there in silent prayers for some
time.

My dear friends, on behalf of Japan and
the Japanese pe0ple, I o?'er with
profound respect my eternal
condolences to the souls of all American
people that were lost during World War
II.

LATE ENEMY, PRESENT FRIEND

ladies and gentlemen, in the galler
today is Lt. Gen. lawrence Snowden.

Seventy years ago in February, he
landed on kit?), or the island of Iwo ima,
as a captain in command of a company.

In recent years, General Snowden has
often participated in the memorial
services held jointly by Japan and the
US. on Iota.

He said, and I quote, ?We didn?t and
don?t go to Iwo ima to celebrate victory,
but for the solemn purpose to pay
tribute to and honor those who lost their
lives on both sides.?

Next to General. Snowden sits Diet
Member Yoshitaka Shindo, who is a
former member of my Cabinet. His
grandfather, General Tadamichi
Kuribayashi, whose valor we remember
even today, was the commander of the
Japanese garrison during the Battle of
Iwo ima.

 

 

What should we call this, if not a miracle
of history?

Enemies that had fought each other so
?ercely have become friends bonded in
spirit.

To General Snowden, I say that I pay
tribute to your efforts for reconciliation.
Thank you so very much.

AMERICA AND POST-WAR JAPAN

Post war, we started out on our path
bearing in mind feelings of deep
remorse over the war. Our actions
brought suffering to the peoples in
Asian countries. We must not avert our
eyes from that. I will uphold the views
expressed by the previous prime
ministers in this regard.

We must all the more contribute in

every respect to the development of Asia.
We must spare no effort in working for
the peace and prosperity of the region.

Reminding ourselves of all that, we have
come all this way. I am proud of this
path we have taken.

70 years ago, Japan had been reduced to
ashes.

Then came each and every month from
the citizens of the United States gifts to
Japan like milk for our children and
warm sweaters, and even goats. Yes,
from America, 2,036 goats came to
Japan.

And it was Japan that received the
biggest bene?t from the very beginning

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

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by the post-war economic system that
the US. had fostered by opening up its
own market and calling for a liberal
world economy.

Later on, from the 1980?s, we saw the
rise of the Republic of Korea, Taiwan,
the ASEAN countries, and before long,
China as well.

This time, Japan too devotedly poured
in capital and technologies to support
their growths.

Meanwhile in the U.S., Japan created
more employment than any other
foreign nation but one, coming second
only to the UK.

TPP

In this way, prosperity was fostered ?rst
by the U.S., and second by Japan. And
prosperity is nothing less than the
seedbed for peace.

Involving countries in Asia-Paci?c
whose backgrounds vary, the US. and
Japan must take the lead. We must take
the lead to build a market that is fair,
dynamic, sustainable, and is also free
from the arbitrary intentions of any
nation.

In the Paci?c market, we cannot
overlook sweat shops or burdens on the
environment. Nor can we simply allow
free riders on intellectual property.

No. Instead, we can spread our shared
values around the world and have them

rt

 

take root: the rule of law, democracy,
and freedom

That is exactly what the TPP is all about.

Furthermore, the TPP goes far beyond
just economic bene?ts. It is also about
our security. Long-term, its strategic
value is awesome. We should never
forget that.

The TPP covers an area that accounts
for 40 per cent of the world economy,
and one third of global trade. We must
turn the area into a region for lasting
peace and prosperity.

That is for the sake of our children and
our children?s children.

As for US. - Japan negotiations, the
goal is near. Let us bring the TPP to a
successful conclusion through our joint
leadership.

REFORMS FOR A STRONGER JAPAN

As a matter of fact, I have something I
can tell you now.

It was about 20 years ago. The GATT
negotiations for agriculture were going
on.

I was much younger, and like a ball of
?re, and Opposed to opening apan's
agricultural market. I even joined
farmers' representatives in a rally in
front of the Parliament.

However, Japan?s agriculture has gone
into decline over these last 20 years. The
average age of our farmers has gone up

 

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by 10 years and is now more than 66
years old.

Japan's agriculture is at a crossroads. In
order for it to survive, it has to change
now.

We are bringing great reforms toward
the agriculture policy that's been in
place for decades. We are also bringing
sweeping reforms to our agricultural
cooperatives that have not changed in
60 long years.

Corporate governance in Japan is now
fully in line with global standards,

because we made it stronger.

Rock?solid regulations are being broken
in such sectors as medicine and energy.
And I am the spearhead.

To turn around our depopulation, I am
determined to do whatever it takes. We
are changing some of our old habits to
empower women so they can get more
actively engaged in all walks of life.

In short, Japan is right in the middle of
a quantum leap.

My dear members of the Congress,
please do come and see the new Japan,
where we have regained our spirit of
reform and our sense of speed.

Japan will not run away from any
reforms. We keep our eyes only on the
road ahead and push forward with
structural reforms.

'l

 

That's TINA: There Is No Alternative.
And there is no doubt about it
whatsoever.

POST WAR PEACE AND 
CHOICE

My dear colleagues, the peace and
security of the post-war world was not
possible without American leadership.

looking back, it makes me happy all the
time that Japan of years past made the
right decision.

As I told you at the outset, citing my
grandfather, that decision was to choose
a path.

That's the path for Japan to ally itself
with the U.S., and to go forward as a
member of the Western world.

In the end, together with the U.S. and
other like?minded democracies, we won
the Cold War.

That's the path that made Japan grow
and prosper. And even today, there is no
alternative.

THE ALLIANCE: MISSION FOR
THE REGION

My dear colleagues, we support the
?rebalancing? by the U.S. in order to
enhance the peace and security of the
Asia-Paci?c region.

And I will state clearly. We will support
the U.S. effort ?rst, last, and
throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Japan has deepened its strategic
relations with Australia and India. We
are enhancing our cooperation across
many ?elds with the counties of
ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.

Adding those partners to the central
pillar that is the U.S.-Japan alliance, our
region will get stable remarkably more.

Now, Japan will provide up to 2.8
billion dollars in assistance to help
improve U.S. bases in Guam, which will
gain strategic signi?cance even more in
the future.

As regards the state of Asian waters, let

me underscore here my three principles.

First, states shall make their claims
based on international law.

Second, they shall not use force or
coercion to drive their claims.

And third, to settle disputes, any
disputes, they shall do so by peaceful
means.

We must make the vast seas stretching
from the Paci?c to the Indian Oceans

seas of peace and freedom, where all
follow the rule of law.

For that very reason we must fortify the
U.S.-Japan alliance. That is our
responsibility.

Now, let me tell you.

In Japan we are working hard to
enhance the legislative foundations for
our security.

 

Once in place, Japan will be much more
able to provide a seamless response for
all levels of crisis.

These enhanced legislative foundations
should make the cooperation between
the U.S. military and Japan's Self
Defense Forces even stronger, and the
alliance still more solid, providing
credible deterrence for the peace in the
region.

This reform is the ?rst of its kind and a
sweeping one in our post-war history.
We will achieve this by this coming


Now, I have something to share with
you.

The day before yesterday Secretaries
Kerry and Carter met our Foreign
Minister Kishida and Defense Minister
Nakatani for consultations.

As a result, we now have a new
framework. A framework to better put
together the forces of the U.S. and
Japan.

Aframework that is in line with the
legislative attempts going on in Japan.

That is what's necessary to build peace,
more reliable peace in the region. And
that is namely the new Defense
Cooperation Guidelines.

Yesterday, President Obama and I fully

agreed on the signi?cance of these
Guidelines.

 

 

 

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If

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Indies and gentlemen, we agreed on a
document that is historic.

NEW BANNER

In the early 19905, in the Persian Gulf
Japan's Self?Defense Forces swept away
sea mines.

For 10 years in the Indian Ocean,
Japanese Self-Defense Forces supported
your operation to stop the ?ow of
terrorists and arms.

Meanwhile in Cambodia, the Golan
Heights, Iraq, Haiti, and South Sudan,
members of our Self-Defense Forces
provided humanitarian support and
peace keeping operations. Their number
amounts to 50,000.

Based on this track record, we are
resolved to take yet more responsibility
for the peace and stability in the world.

It is for that purpose we are determined
to enact all necessary bills by this
coming summer. And we will do exactly
that.

We must make sure human security will
be preserved in addition to national
security. That's our belief, ?rm and
solid.

We must do our best so that every
individual gets education, medical
support, and an opportunity to rise to be
self-reliant.

Armed con?icts have always made
women suffer the most. In our age, we
must realize the kind of world where


II

 

?nally women are free from human
rights abuses.

Our servicemen and women have made
substantial accomplishments. So have
our aid workers who have worked so
steadily.

Their combined sum has given us a new
self-identity.

That's why we now hold up high a new
banner that is "proactive contribution to
peace based on the principle of
international cooperation. 

Let me repeat. "Proactive contribution
to peace based on the principle of
international cooperation" should lead
Japan along its road for the future.

Problems we face include terrorism,
infectious diseases, natural disasters
and climate change.

The time has come for the U.S.-Japan
alliance to face up to and jointly tackle
those challenges that are new.

After all our alliance has lasted more
than a quarter of the entire history of
the United States.

It is an alliance that is sturdy, bound in
trust and friendship, deep between us.

No new concept should ever be
necessary for the alliance that connects
us, the biggest and the second biggest
democratic powers in the free world, in
working together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Always, it is an alliance that cherishes
our shared values of the rule of law,
respect for human rights and freedom.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

When I was young in high school and
listened to the radio, there was a song
that ?ew out and shook my heart.

It was a song by Carol King.

?When you're down and

troubled, your eyes and think of
me, and I'll be there to brighten up even
your darkest night.?

And that day, March 11, 2011, a big
quake, a tsunami, and a nuclear
accident hit the northeastern part of
Japan.

The darkest night fell upon Japan.

But it was then we saw the U.S. armed
forces rushing to Japan to the rescue at
a scale never seen or heard before.

Lots and lots of people from all corners
of the U.S. extended the hand of
assistance to the children in the disaster
areas.

Yes, we've got a friend in you.

Together with the victims you shed tears.

You gave us something, something very,
very precious.

That was hope, hope for the future.

ladies and gentlemen, the ?nest asset
the U.S. has to give to the world was

 

hope, is hope, will be, and must always
be hope.

Distinguished representatives of the
citizens of the United States, let us call
the U.S.-Japan alliance, an alliance of
hope.

Let the two of us, America and Japan,
join our hands together and do our best
to make the world a better, a much
better, place to live.

Alliance of Together, we can
make a difference.

Thank you so much.
END