Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006. -- (House of Representatives - June 20, 2005)

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Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recoginize the continuing role that the Government of Japan is playing to promote peace and democracy in Iraq and around the world. The determination and commitment of Japan, one of our Nation's most important allies, is particularly significant, especially at this time. We all read news stories about the difficulties and tensions that the United States has with our allies and even with coalition partners in Iraq, but we rarely read about the good news.

As the House debates funding for our troops at home and abroad, I believe it is timely and important to highlight several recent developments in Japan's contributions to these efforts.

IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

In April, the Government of Japan decided to extend for an additional 6 months, until November 1, 2005, the operation of Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF) in support of ``Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).'' As part of these operations, Japan has dispatched destroyers and supply ships to the Indian Ocean to provide at-sea refueling to U.S. and other allied naval vessels in the campaign. As of March 29, the Maritime SDF has completed more than 500 refueling operations for those naval vessels. As a result, Japan supplies about 30 percent of all fuel consumed by U.S. and allied naval vessels. Since last November, the Maritime SDF has begun to supply water and fuel for helicopters to the allied countries.

Japan has also sent their SDF forces to Iraq. The operations have included ground troops, naval vessels and aircraft, all involved in reconstruction and humanitarian projects. At one point, the total number of Japanese SDF forces in the Iraq theater was approximately 1,000, including about 600 ground troops. These are historic operations, the first of their kind by Japan since the end of World War II.

In addition, the Air SDF of Japan has provided airlift support to the U.S. Forces with C-130 transport aircraft and other planes. The Air SDF has completed more than 400 transport missions both in Japan and overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Further, Japan is the second largest donor in Iraq after the United States, with over $5 billion dollars for humanitarian, infrastructure and reconstruction projects. Japan also hosted a donor's conference last October, and continues to play an active role in the core group of donors.

With respect to the reconstruction for Afghanistan, Japan has committed, in total, $1 billion of assistance, of which about $900 million have been disbursed so far.

JAPAN'S EFFORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS

Japan is actively involved in advancing the Middle East peace process, including the provision of assistance to the Palestinians. To support Palestinians' peace efforts, Japan announced at the summit meeting between Prime Minister Koizumi and Mr. Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority, that it will provide additional assistance of approximately 100 million U.S. dollars to the Palestinians for the immediate future, in addition to the 90 million U.S. dollars it already provided in the last fiscal year.

BILATERAL SECURITY COOPERATION

It is significant that Secretary of State Rice and Japanese Foreign Minister Machimura have already held 3 bilateral meetings, the most recent being on May 2 here in Washington. Among the issues discussed were the creation of a Japan-U.S. strategic dialogue led by the two ministers, increased security cooperation, North Korea and United Nations Reform. During her visit to Tokyo in March, Secretary Rice cited Japan as a model for political and economic progress in all of East Asia and praised Japan's partnership with the United States in the global war on terror.

NORTH KOREA

Japan continues to work closely with the United States on the issue of the North Korean nuclear crisis and has played an important and constructive role in the Six-Party talks. Japan supports an early resumption of these talks with an emphasis on the role of China.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD)

Japan is a strong supporter of the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime and has reached out to other countries, especially in Asia, to build a broader coalition against the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Last fall, Japan hosted Australia, France and the United States (as well as 44 observer countries) in the first Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Maritime Interdiction exercise. The PSI is a global effort among governments to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and other missiles. Japan again showed its commitment to the global war on terror by using its Maritime Self Defense Forces to counter proliferation in this multinational exercise.

CONCLUSION

Mr. Chairman, these initiatives by Japan are but a few examples of the growing role that Japan is playing in the maintenance of international peace and security. And it is a powerful reminder of the importance and strength of the Japan-U.S. security relationship. I believe it is therefore appropriate that the House of Representatives recognize these actions and commend the Government of Japan.

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