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U.S. and Japan
Statement by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel on Prime Minister Kishida's Leadership
3 MINUTE READ
March 6, 2023

What does leadership in the 21st century look like? Since coming into office, Prime Minister Kishida has:

  • Implemented a robust new security strategy
  • Increased defense spending to two percent of GDP
  • Asserted control over Japan’s macroeconomic policy
  • Provided Ukraine with unprecedented levels of military, humanitarian, and energy assistance
  • Welcomed Ukrainian evacuees
  • Reversed Japan’s 40-year Russia policy
  • Shrunk the distance between Europe and Asia by reminding our partners on both sides that today’s Ukraine could be tomorrow’s Indo-Pacific
  • Forged new defense partnerships with the Philippines, UK, Italy, and Australia on technology, training, and humanitarian relief
  • Secured historic rises in wages from Japan’s corporations

What’s next? Looking to the future for a new partnership with the Republic of Korea. That is bold leadership.