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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 547 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 547
Expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in
response to political, economic and military pressure by the People's
Republic of China against Japan.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17, 2025
Mr. Ricketts (for himself, Mr. Coons, Mr. Hagerty, and Mrs. Shaheen)
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in
response to political, economic and military pressure by the People's
Republic of China against Japan.
Whereas, since 1951, the United States-Japan alliance has served as the
cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, on October 4, 2025, Japan elected its first female prime minister,
Sanae Takaichi;
Whereas, on November 2, 2025, the People's Republic of China's Foreign Ministry
harshly criticized a meeting between Prime Minister Takaichi and a
senior Taiwan official at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, despite the fact
that such meetings regularly occur at APEC, where Taiwan has been an
active member since 1991;
Whereas, on November 7, 2025, in response to a question from a member of the
Japanese parliament about a hypothetical Chinese blockade of the Taiwan
Strait involving United States forces, Prime Minister Takaichi responded
that ``[i]f battleships are used and a naval blockade involves the use
of force, I believe that would, by any measure, constitute a `survival-
threatening situation' for Japan,'' a legal term under Japanese law
allowing Tokyo to exercise its right to collective self-defense with the
United States;
Whereas Prime Minister Takaichi further clarified that ``the Japanese government
would make its judgment by synthesizing all information based on the
specific circumstances of the actual situation'';
Whereas Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks are in line with previous remarks from
senior Japanese leaders, including then-Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi's
statement in 2021 that ``[t]he peace and stability of Taiwan are
directly connected to Japan,'' and then-Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso's
remarks that ``[i]f a major problem took place in Taiwan, it would not
be too much to say that it could relate to a survival-threatening
situation (for Japan)'';
Whereas, on November 7, 2025, the People's Republic of China's Consul General in
Osaka criticized Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks to parliament in a
post on X, saying, ``We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck
that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready?'';
Whereas, since November 7, 2025, the People's Republic of China has effectively
suspended or blocked many Japanese cultural performances inside China,
including films and concerts, with venues reportedly told that concerts
featuring Japanese musicians would be cancelled for the rest of 2025;
Whereas, on November 14, 2025, the People's Republic of China announced travel
advisories urging its citizens to avoid travel to or study in Japan,
leading airlines to offer refunds to Chinese travelers and cancel
flights;
Whereas, on November 16, 2025, Chinese coast guard vessels sailed through waters
around the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan, prompting
Japan to deploy its own coast guard vessels in response;
Whereas, on November 18, 2025, and December 1, 2025, the People's Republic of
China sent letters to the United Nations criticizing Prime Minister
Takaichi's remarks;
Whereas, on November 19, 2025, the People's Republic of China announced it would
reimpose a 2023 ban on seafood imports from Japan and suspended
consultations to resume Japanese beef exports to China;
Whereas, on November 20, 2025, the Department of State Deputy Spokesperson
stated, ``Our commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and to Japan's
defense, including the Japan-administered Senkakus, is unwavering. The
U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone of peace and security in the
Indo-Pacific.... We firmly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the
status quo, including through force or coercion, in the Taiwan Strait,
East China Sea, or South China Sea.'';
Whereas, on December 2, 2025, the Japanese Coast Guard intercepted and drove
away two Chinese coast guard vessels that approached a Japanese fishing
boat near the Senkaku Islands;
Whereas, on December 6, 2025, People's Liberation Army Navy's Liaoning aircraft
carrier conducted exercises near the Japanese island of Okinawa and two
Chinese J-15 warplanes locked radar on two Japanese F-15 military
aircraft on separate occasions in international waters;
Whereas, on December 9, 2025, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic
bombers joined two Chinese H-6 bombers and four J-16 fighters on a joint
patrol in international waters between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako
Islands;
Whereas, on December 9, 2025, a spokesperson for the Department of State stated,
``China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability. The
U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever. Our
commitment to our ally Japan is unwavering, and we are in close contact
on this and other issues'';
Whereas, on December 11, 2025, United States strategic bombers joined Japanese
fighters in a joint military exercise near Japan's western airspace,
with the Japanese Joint Staff saying that the exercises ``reaffirmed the
strong resolve to prevent unilateral attempts to change the status quo
by force and the readiness between the [Self-Defense Force] and the U.S.
forces''; and
Whereas, on December 14, 2025, the People's Republic of China imposed sanctions
on Shigeru Iwasaki, a former chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defense
Forces Joint Staff and adviser to Taiwan's cabinet, for alleged
collusion with ``Taiwan independence'' separatist forces: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the Government of the People's Republic of
China's use of economic, military, and diplomatic coercion and
aggression against Japan, a United States defense treaty ally;
(2) commends the Government of Japan's opposition to the
efforts of the Government of the People's Republic of China
to--
(A) undermine regional stability; and
(B) unilaterally change the status quo in the
Taiwan Strait by force or coercion;
(3) recognizes Japan's commitments to peace and security
and its continuing role as a key ally in maintaining a free and
open Indo-Pacific;
(4) applauds the Government of Japan's efforts to increase
its own defense spending to invest in capabilities to enhance
deterrence across the region;
(5) applauds the Government of Japan's efforts to diffuse
tensions with the Government of the People's Republic of China
despite continuous unilateral provocations;
(6) reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to
article V of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual
Cooperation and Security, and that the Senkaku Islands fall
within article V's scope; and
(7) stands with the Government of Japan and the Japanese
people against the Government of the People's Republic of
China's attempts to harass and escalate tensions with Japan.
<all>
Submitted in Senate
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
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