One of the largest delegations of Congressional members to travel to Japan in recent years traveled to Tokyo on February 20–24, 2011, as part of the US-Japan Parliamentary Exchange Program. The delegation participated in the New Shimoda Conference, which convened nearly 80 senior Japanese and American leaders to discuss ways for Japan and the United States to work together more closely in making regional and global contributions and to help build consensus about strengthening and revitalizing this important bilateral relationship.
Participants
SUSAN DAVIS (D-California), Ranking Member, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel
DIANA DeGETTE (D-Colorado), Ranking Member, House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations; Chief Deputy Minority Whip, House Democratic Leadership
MAZIE HIRONO (D-Hawaii), Member, Education and the Workforce Committee; Member, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
NITA LOWEY (D-New York), Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations
TOM PETRI (R-Wisconsin), Chairman, House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation
SenateJIM WEBB (D-Virginia), Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Chairman, Senate Armed Forces Subcommittee on Personnel
During their time in Japan, the group also participated in a series of high-level meetings with top Japanese foreign policy experts and policymakers, including:
• Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara
• Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki
• Discussions with 18 Japanese Diet Members from both major political parties
• Visit to Prime Minister’s Office and meeting with Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama
• Meetings with officials from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Tokyo
• Briefings and discussions with foreign policy experts on US and Japanese relations with China, the US-Japan role in the global financial system, and the implications of Japanese politics for foreign policy
• Tailored events based on individual participants’ interests and expertise, such as meetings with Japan International Cooperation Agency President Sadako Ogata, stem cell experts, education ministry officials, and sister-city exchange program representatives
Related
- Conference Report
- Remarks by Representative Diana DeGette
- Remarks by Representative Motohisa Furukawa
- Remarks by Senator Jim Webb
- Remarks by Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara [MOFA website]
