U.S. Ambassador to Japan Raam Emmanuel's inauguration video message on U.S. - Japan relations.
2022-01-25 Category:Japan-U.S. relations
Photo by Daniel X. O'Neil (licensed under CC BY 2.0)
The U.S. Ambassador to Japan's Greetings to the Japanese
Hello, everyone. I'm Raam Emmanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.I arrived in Tokyo with my wife Amy.I was thinking about my parents the whole time I was flying from Chicago.My parents' values and dreams were the reason why I went to public office.My mother was a nurse and organizer of the civil rights movement.My grandfather on my mother's side made a big bet 100 years ago.After fleeing the Holocaust of Jews in Eastern Europe, he moved to a village where he had never met a distant relative and had no pronunciation.On the other hand, my father crossed from Israel to the United States with only $13.The father, who was a pediatrician, was simple and clear, and didn't refuse to examine his children because his parents could not afford medical treatment.
As a senior adviser to President Clinton, I was involved in budget balance negotiations and provided health care to 10 million uninsured children.In addition to submitting the Great Lakes Recovery Act, which held important posts in Parliament, the minimum wage was raised.During the Obama administration, he was involved in the enactment of the U.S. Reconstruction Act, the expansion of health care to uninsured people, and the strengthening of the domestic business industry.As mayor of Chicago, the city topped the U.S. list for seven consecutive years in corporate transfers and foreign direct investment.At the same time, the graduation rate of high school also rose every year to a record high.
These were all different experiences, but equally important.It was President Biden who worked together on each one.I'm proud to be an old acquaintance with the president and a precious friend.The first time we met was when the president was a senator, working to enact a law to prevent violence against women, one of his achievements.
When I was mayor, Chicago built a shelter for domestic violence for the first time in decades.Biden, then vice president, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.While standing on my side, I leaned closer to the citizens of Chicago than anything else to realize our unwavering determination to value dignity and security.I am honored to be the U.S. Ambassador to Japan with the support of the President.
For more than 60 years, Japan and the United States have promoted peace and prosperity in the free and open Indo-Pacific region.The Japan-U.S. alliance is a lighthouse that illuminates the infinite possibilities and hopes of the region.The U.S. and Japan, which used to be enemies, have turned into allies.We are at an important crossroads, but we can trust shared values, interests, and goals and face common challenges together.
This is the duty of Japan and the United States and determines the fate of democracy.Of course, it's not easy.Dictators and skeptics use the method of dominating from division.Such strong activities have always threatened the democratic order based on the rules promoted by the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Now you know what I mean.I don't have a reserved personality.Japan and the U.S. will never shrink from anyone who undermines any challenges or values.Japan-U.S. cooperation over the next three years will determine the position of the two countries over the next 30 years.
Both Japan and the United States will increase their leadership responsibilities more than ever before.The Japanese and U.S. citizens are worth it and strongly hope for it.People in the Indo-Pacific region are also eager to do so.
Let's get to work together.
Thank you very much
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