2025 -- S 0934

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

CELEBRATING THE 171ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. -- JAPAN TREATY OF PEACE

AND AMITY

     Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Gu, Felag, LaMountain, McKenney, Britto, Urso,
Burke, Appollonio, and Raptakis

     Date Introduced: April 01, 2025

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The month of May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander

(AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States, and is a time to recognize and celebrate the

contributions, achievements, and cultural heritage of AAPI throughout our nation's history; and

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island and Japan share a rich history of cultural and

people-to-people exchanges, cooperation, and friendship; and

     WHEREAS, The first official diplomatic contact between the United States and Japan

took place in 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry, born in South Kingstown, led an

expedition of "Black Ships" to Japan under orders from President Millard Fillmore; and

     WHEREAS, The Perry expedition eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Peace

and Amity between the United States and Japan on March 31, 1854, which marked the beginning

of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries and paved the way for increased

interaction and trade; and

     WHEREAS, Today, Japan is the United States' fourth largest trading partner, and for the

last five years, Japan has been the number one investor in the United States, and the United States

has been the number one investor in Japan; and

     WHEREAS, The relationship between the United States and Japan is marked by mutual

respect, admiration, and a commitment to promoting peace, understanding, and collaboration; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island and Japan have established numerous partnerships in various

fields including commerce, academia, education, technology, arts, and culture; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island-Japan connection is further strengthened by the presence

of Japanese companies investing in Rhode Island and contributing to the State's economic

vitality, as well as by Rhode Island-based businesses engaging in trade with Japan, promoting

global commerce and innovation; and

     WHEREAS, Educational and cultural exchanges between Rhode Island and Japan have

provided invaluable opportunities for students, scholars, artists, and professionals to learn from

one another, share experiences, and build lifelong connections, thereby enhancing cross-cultural

understanding and fostering global citizenship; and

     WHEREAS, Through diverse festivities such as the annual Black Ships Festival by the

Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, the Cherry Blossom Princess Crowning Ceremony by

the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the Providence AnimeCon, and the birthday celebration

of Hachiko in Woonsocket, Rhode Islanders continue to promote an appreciation of Japanese

culture, arts and a warm friendship with Japan; and

     WHEREAS, In Japan, tens of thousands of people continue to attend an annual Black

Ships Festival in Shimoda, a sister city with Newport, and a Perry Festival in Yokosuka,

celebrating connections with Commodore Perry and the United States; and

     WHEREAS, The Naval War College in Newport and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense

Force work closely together to promote national security and regional stability through shared

resources, strategies, and commitments; and

     WHEREAS, In February of 2025, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru

Ishiba held their first official meeting in Washington, D.C., where they affirmed their

determination to pursue a new golden age for U.S. – Japan relations that upholds a free and open

Indo-Pacific; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the

longstanding and meaningful relationship between the United States and Japan, recognizing the

contributions of individuals, organizations, and institutions that have worked tirelessly to promote

friendship, cooperation, and understanding between our two countries; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby honors the 171st Anniversary of the signing of the

U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity and declares March 31st when the treaty was signed in

1854 as “Japan Day”, and encourages continued collaboration and partnership between the

United States and Japan, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening the ties that bind us

together and fostering a future of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect for generations to come;

and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, Donald J.

Trump, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner,

Congressman Gabe Amo, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Lt. Governor

Sabina Matos, Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg

Amore, and the Honorable Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston.

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