Recognizing Importance in History of 150th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between United States and Japan
RECOGNIZING IMPORTANCE IN HISTORY OF 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTABLISHMENT OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND JAPAN -- (House of Representatives - July 21, 2004)
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Mr. CASE. Mr. Speaker, the signing 150 years ago of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity, also known as the Treaty of Kanagawa, marked the beginning of a remarkable relationship between two great nations. It also represented a milestone in the history of each nation.
For Japan, which was emerging from two-and-a-half centuries of self-imposed isolation, the treaty marked the moment that it began its ascent to the ranks of the world's great powers. For the United States, which began as a small colony on the North Atlantic seaboard with deep roots in Europe, the treaty represented its emergence as a Pacific nation.
The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed in large part because the leadership of the United States recognized the importance of establishing a formal relationship with Japan, a nation that, in spite of its long period of isolation, was widely known to have a stable government as well as cultural and literary traditions that were highly evolved and refined.
While we all acknowledge that the U.S.-Japan relationship has had periods of difficulty, particularly the tragedy of the Second World War, it has, on the whole, been close, sturdy, vital, and mutually beneficial. The relationship continues to flourish today because both nations share a belief in democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic prosperity. Both nations also believe strongly in building a foundation for both regional and global cooperation throughout Asia and the world.
We in Hawai'i have long had an especial relationship with Japan. Today, nearly 300,000 residents of our state (19 percent of our population) are descended from Japanese immigrants who first begin arriving in Hawai'i-then the Kingdom of Hawai'i-in 1868 to work as field laborers on our sugar plantations. Hawai'i's Japanese community has since played a central role in establishing modern Hawai'i's tradition of ethnic and social diversity.
Over the course of this commemorative year, I am hopeful that all Americans and Japanese will reacquaint themselves with the depth and value of the relationship that was established between our two great nations 150 years ago.
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