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
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
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.