letter to japanese ambassador kenichiro sasae

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April 23, 2015

His Excellency Kenichiro SasaeAmbassador of Japan to the United States2520 Massachusetts Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20008

Dear Ambassador Sasae:

We write to you regarding the upcoming visit of your Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Washington,D.C. We look forward to this visit, as it is both timely and meaningful. The visit at the end ofApril further underscores the importance and strength of our bilateral relationship, and wecongratulate the Prime Minister in the historic opportunity to address a Joint Meeting ofCongress.

Mr. Ambassador, we are at a critical juncture in Americas rebalance to Asia, and we firmlybelieve that enhanced cooperation between the United States, Japan, and Korea, will serve as aIinchpin of peace and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific region and the broader globalcommunity. In this regard, we sincerely hope Prime Minister Abes visit will lay the foundationfor healing and humble reconciliation by addressing the historical issues.

In particular, we respectfully urge the Prime Minister to formally reaffirm and validate theconclusions expressed by previous Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and formerChief Cabinet Secretary Yohei Kono to squarely face history, as their remarks signaled twoimportant chapters in Japans efforts to improve relations with its neighbors.

As you are well aware, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.Accordingly, we fervently hope Prime Minister Abe will take advantage of this auspiciousmilestone during his visit to Washington to enhance Japans relationships with its neighborsthrough a vision of long overdue healing and reconciliation which will contribute to future-oriented cooperation.

Sincerely,

- _______________________

MICHAEL M. ONDA STEVE ISRAELMember of Congress Member of Congress

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GRACE MENG ~ CHARLES B. ~ NG~~Member of Congress Member of Congress

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CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSONMember of Congress

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BLAKE ARENTHOLDMember of Congress

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ALCEE L. HASTINGSMember of Congress

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ALBIO SI ~ SMember of Congress

L/~PD AM B. SCHIFFMember of Congress

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ALAN LOWENTHALMember of Congress

4- -BARBARA COMSTOCK

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/MIKE KELLY

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TOM REEDMember of Congress

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LORETTA S~ CHEZMember of Congress

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di ENN HECK EDWARD R. OYCEMember of Congress Member of Congress

LDONAL I S. B ~ R, JR. SHEILA JAC IN LEE

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lipE ANUEL CLEAVER

Me - ongress

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida