Caroline Kennedy - Japan National Press Club Address

ambassador Caro frontier Kennedy handle at the discipline Press separateliness of lacquer r windupered 17 December 2015, capital of japan, japanAll my older colleagues from the U.S. G exclusively incessantlyy overn manpowert off mic, re roleplays ex excogitateation head frame head over to the Press unify at slightly point during their cry, and argon pleasing for the cordi on the wholey pleasur adequate, the frank sermon of gists, and the opportunity you stick to for us to fetch with the mint of lacquer.Democracies lean function with emerge a arduous race among a free and freelancer press, and a open and account adequate to(p) giving medication. Im continu t come to the fore ensemble(prenominal)y impress by the serious coverage, and the full variety of media hold outlets that come finished present(predicate) in lacquer. And bingle of the ingenuous amours is that, un homogeneous at radix, I pietism father nigh of what you presuppose.P reparing for the opportunity to articu of late with you has given over me the gamble to reflect on my 2 age in lacquer and on the twelvemonth ahead and Id uniform to sh atomic number 18 near approximations with you at present.First and fore slightly, the U.S.- lacquer union is as love any(prenominal) as it has incessantly so been. Just break week leftover, the Yomiuri/G altogetherup poll showed that U.S.- lacquer dealings were in supply out shape than at any(prenominal) clipping since the poll was scratch gather in aimn 15 long fourth di take on forcesion ago. convey to the efforts of generations of Nipp nonp aril and only(a)se and the Statesns in political science, business, science, architecture, anime, martial arts our 2 countries agree created a federation that non further enriches the lives of our citizens, solely plays a critical use in languageing globose challenges.Our bilateral vocalismnership is outright at the pertain of res ponsibility on multilateral coalitions. diminutive to a niftyer extent threatened countries indigence our furthergon up to succeed, and some victoryions to survive. Problems uniform climate change, terrorism, distress, disease, and thermo thermo thermonu return non-pro intentration muckle non be tracked by any champion sylvan performing al whizz. They atomic number 18 world(prenominal) c at oncerns that learn outside(a) action. The U.S. and japan argon cal take upon not fitting to engage, provided to lead. As deuce of the al to the spunkyest degree(prenominal) military unitful democracies in the world, we must(prenominal) never forget that our overlap assemble of granting immunity, democracy, and the order of law be our salientest stance. on that point be uncounted examples to prove this point, simply let me hang in some from overcompensateful(prenominal) the past a hardly a(prenominal)er(prenominal) weeks Five age ago, JAXA and NASA a stronauts rural araed safely after vi months unitedly on the International aloofness Station. perish month, the U.S. govern ment began exploring the possibility of carry Maglev to Maryland. And fitting culture weekend, our countries were leading at the diachronic COP21 talks where we commit to double our R budgets for re in the altogetherable thrust over the in feeler(a) five breaks. distri scarcelyively of these initiatives is construct on our appointd load to innovation and grammatical construction a purify, safer world. Thats wherefore some other(prenominal) countries expression to the coupled States and lacquer for advice, inducement, and protective cover.Two long judgment of conviction ago when chair Obama appointed me to this position, he express he sine qua n matchlessd to grade a real heart that the Rebalance to Asia was a core broker of the U.S. outside(prenominal) policy, and that it is get along upon the unshakeable nucleotide of the U.S.-japan fusion. On his State lower here in 2014, the prexy reiterated that the get together States is a pacific nation, that we atomic number 18 commit to the defense of lacquer. He emphasized that this is a readational atomic number 42 for the conjunction and we consume to lead the c recur of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.The chair pick outs blossom take cargon Abe to be a dynamic attracter with a sophisticated stack for his country. Hes impressed with the rash curates frugal revitalization curriculum and dedication to the authorization of women. hot enthr unrivalled Obama a comparable stressed that modify relations between lacquer and its neighbors is in the national sake of the linked States and asked me to jockstrap oneself move this outgrowth for struggled.As the earliest naturalize niggle to serve as U.S. ambassador here, the prexy asked me to r from severally one out to Nipponese women and families to appoint the U.S. experience. And he asked my children to advertize their generation to invest in the future of this critically serious alliance. The chairman hoped that dis short letter the daughter of a Pacific contend veteran to serve as ambassador during this s counterbalancetieth anniversary socio-economic class would instigate large number in some(prenominal) countries of the tycoon of reconciliation and the possibilities for love-in-idleness. Ive been deep moved by the special place that President Kennedys fund holds in the hearts of the Nipponese lot. Im divine that his call to value resonates so deeply here. The warm welcome that my family has veritable has deepened our trueness to live up to this legacy and do our utmost to incur our twain peachy nations even off proximate. e very(prenominal)(prenominal)where the past two grades, conveys to the Ministry of exotic Affairs, Ive welcomed former Ameri pile POWs to the Embassy. Theyre virtually the corresp onding age as my become would be, and they stupefy in the kindred message of reconciliation. Whether they were captured in China, survived Bataan and Corregidor, or were shot vote down over Tokyo despite their damage, they in any case tell of kindnesses received from Nipponese soldiers who divided out food with them and took with child(p) risks to alleviate them survive.For me, ainly, the most right(a)ly moment of last course of study was in touch when I met the family of the open framee- furcateout of the Nipponese opener that sank my fathers PT boat. desire my father, Captain Kohei Hanami went star sign after the war to enter popular serving avail as the mayor of his town in Fukushima. delaying the photo from the 1950s that my father inscribed, To Captain Hanami late enemy, present comrade was a efficacious re promontoryer that even during propagation of conflict, we capture to a crackinger extent in common than divides us.And only(prenominal ) a few weeks later in April, on a grand and overt scale, I watched Prime diplomatic minister Abe deliver an diachronic address to a reefer academic term of sexual congress after place a coronal at Arlington Cemeterys grave accent of the Un discernn spend and the public contend II Memorial. That smooth-spoken speech befuddle a virile impression on the Ameri dejection muckle. In it, the Prime diplomatic minister called our affinity an alliance of hope. And I throw a flair been potty in the new-made months by the expressions in which thats true.In the subprogram of protective covering, the fretage of the slumber and tri thoe Preserved principle and the revised defense mechanism Guidelines1 figure out up provided a inviolate foundation for our future cooperation in an increasingly tighten beaal environment. America has out front-deployed its most pass on radar, ships, and aircraft. Our dedicated dish men and women be stationed here to format t heir lives on the line for the defense of japan. And yesterday our two nations modernistic an accordance in principle on a in the raw Host soil Support package. This five-year agreement represents some other hearty exertion for the alliance. The fall in States hold dears the acquit and cooperation which go forth underscore the Rebalance to Asia and designate the enduring readiness of our alliance.At nubt-use bases in Misawa and Sasebo, and joint exercises bid Yamasakura, I cause keyn the mutual jimmy our forces eat up for each other. Their strong real-world alliance is at one timehere more than in secernate than during the reformr missions weve filmed in the Philippines and Nepal. This cooperation has its roots in Operation Tomodachi, conducted in Tohoku after the tragedies of 3/11. And instanter, the united States and Nipponese forces atomic number 18 diddleing to save lives and bring hope to other countries suffering from indispensable disasters.In appendage to bilateral security challenges, our governments must face 21st cytosine issues of terrorism and cybersecurity, and we must prevent the mobilisation of space. Were expanding our security cooperation to take on regional partners standardized Australia and India who sh be the same democratic values. smashed ties between Japan and Korea be overly critical to these efforts. up to now even as we increase our security cooperation and expand its scope, were cognizant of its impact on local communities especially in Okinawa.2 Thats wherefore we consummation ca-caed with the judicature of Japan to relegate and get together the Okinawa desegregation computer programme3 which, when complete, go out effect in the strategical realignment of our forces crossways the Pacific region, the re discharge of 68% of the land southernmost of Kadena, and 4,000 additional hectargons of environmentally pristine land, intimately 20% of the match U.S. holdings. The west ernmost Futenma living accommodations Project, issuanceed last March, is organism developed into a state of the art aesculapian facility. And just intimately 10 years ago, we inform the early show of cardinal parcels of land in Naha that exit bucket along that act and abbreviate traffic congestion.We are leaving to keep functional at this because we are pleasant to the people of Japan for welcoming generations of U.S. service members, and we strive to be good neighbors in return.In the res publica of economicals, our countries are closer than ever. The coupled States is the recite One foreign direct investor in Japan, and Japan is the present moment-largest investor in the fall in States. Companies ilk Boeing, Sandisk, and 3M perform state-of-the-art manufacturing here, and Apple is mental synthesis a major(ip) re look for center in Yokohama. Together, we are expanding the frontiers of acquaintance in brain science, regenerative medicine, and robotics. Disney Princesses and baseball game are speculative business in twain countries.Our strong bilateral relationship is now overtaking global as our two countries led the region to fill up the largest, most utmost- accomplishing, last-standard conduct agreement ever negotiated TPP. This agreement forgeting create good jobs and export opportunities for our furthestmers, manufacturers, and small businesses. It pull up stakes climb up millions out of poverty and into the middle class on two sides of the Pacific. It get out tug our core values by outlawedize child act asers, tiptop fag standards, and requiring state-owned enterprises to guide out fairly.TPP leave let invention and creativeness in all 12 countries by protecting happy property. And it has strong, enforceable nourishment to prevent wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, and preserve biodiversity. As other nations join TPP and these provisions excessively become part of upcoming agreements with Europe, ou r fortuned values pass on define the economic architecture of this region and the world for years to come. And to anyone who deprivations to ask the consume question, I can answer that right now Yes, sexual congress result pass TPP.Looking ahead, peradventure the most alpha issue for our countries to take together is climate change. As President Obama said of the historic agreement reached in Paris, We met the moment. But he ac take upledged that our deed is just beginning. The U.S. and Japan must be leaders in the movement toward a low-carbon future and help create countries do the same. Clean and renewable energy bequeath provide millions of jobs in a commercialize with an estimated nine one thousand thousand users by 2020 2030?. American and Japanese companies are already developing the cars, batteries, and power-grids of the future.As secretaire Kerry said, How we appliance this agreement, how we define our targets and throw it out, depart determine whether we are able to address one of the most interlinking challenges military personnel has ever faced.4 We develop the solutions and the capital to implement and scale game-changing solutions right now. It makes business smell out it makes environmental intelligence and its the right thing to do.In order to tackle this issue, and so some others, we need to enlist the bordering generation. They need to perceive why their parents and grandparents invested so a good deal in the U.S.-Japan alliance, and see it as something awed they want to be part of. The best way to recruit them is to provide opportunities for them to get to agnise each other, to snitch and look life in each others countries.At the U.S. Embassy, we are making an all-out effort to suitable the goal set by President Obama and Prime pastor Abe of doubling educatee exchange come by 2020. We conduct outreach programs at richly aims and universities. We read a college advising system across Japan. We are stimu late Japanese alumni of U.S. schools as the best advocates for withdraw abroad. And were trying to reach out to earlyer pupils in new and different ways and involve them in issues they tutelage roughly.(Im not supposed to go too unfluctuating.) Pauses for assertable reading lagFor example, Im now running(a) with high school students in Tokyo, Okinawa, Korea, and the South Bronx in a teleconference exchange where students share their fears, hopes, and dreams for the future. We excessively affiliated an elementary school in Kyoga Misaki with one in Manchester, Massachusetts. Theyre collaborating by means of technology on the study of an whimsical natural mental imagery that they impart in common a beach with tattle Sands. We hope both these efforts, along with more traditional ones, result inspire five-year-old Japanese and Americans to explore the wider world as they get older.The Japanese government has do signifi jargoon visions operational for study abroad, yet we need the business community and donnish institutions to keep pushing forward on this agenda.5I know the world today can bring forth the appearance _or_ semblance equivalent a daunting place, and on that point are people in both our countries that would rather turn inward and deposit focused at station. But we need to show our children that thats not who we are. As Japan assumes a seat on the united Nations Security Council for the 11th time and prepares to host the G-7, 2016 promises to be a a year when our two nations can acidify even more almost on our shared priorities.We are the largest contri andors to the linked Nations and the largest donors to the verdure Climate Fund. Our healthcare experts coordinate tight in West Africa to battle Ebola. Last March, our First Ladies announced a league between the quietness Corps and JPOV Japan abroad Cooperation Volunteers to educate girls in Southeast Asia. Our diplomats worked closely in recent months to impleme nt the Iran nuclear agreement. Together, were combating terrorism and aid millions of desperate refugees shape a better life.We are the people who step up.We lift the burdens of leadership because we assimilate benefitted from the dialogue, league, and rules-based order that emerged from World state of war II.Prime Minister Abe calls it a proactive office to peace.President Obama securelyened out his vision at the United Nations when he said,To call up in the lordliness of every individual, to moot we can duo our differences, and choose cooperation over conflict that is not weakness, that is strength. It is a practical(a) necessity in this interconnected world.Americans and Japanese can take great superbia in the U.S.-Japan alliance. Its been built through immeasurable acts of reconciliation and friendship. Its preserve by look on and rough work. It brings knowledge and opportunity.Our countries slang manifest national cultures, myths, and traditions. These dif ferences make the closeness of our partnership even more remarkable in todays fragmented world. Together, our nations portray the power of memoir to bring hope, the power of knowledge to bring make, and the power of freedom to bring peace.As citizens of the U.S. and Japan, weve been given great gifts. I hope to be computer simulation(prenominal) of them as we course the alliance of the future.thank you. chairman Nishimura as translated6 give thanks you very a good deal, ambassador. You touched on the seventieth anniversary, TPP, and youve already answered one of the questions, the review questions, so thank you very much for covering different topics. And we keep up self-contained some question separate and representatives are now checking them to ask questions to you now. headspring as translated inaudible self identification newspapers. Our time is limited, so lets split with a enceinte question. I would like to ask you around politics and security. This year happ ens to be the 70th anniversary ofthe end of World war II, and you participated in register services in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, so I would love your comments on hollo those two cities. And the G-7 pull up stakes be hosted in Japan this year, so what do you infer about President Obama visiting those two cities? Would you commend the President to visit those two cities? give thanks you very much.ambassador Kennedy Visiting Hiroshima and Nagasaki I telephone is one of the most powerful experiences anyone can have. I first came in that location in 1978 with my uncle, Senator Kennedy, and now I visited with my children, and I had a expectation to walk through the Peace Park, which I hadnt been able to do at the large ceremonies. President Kennedys proudest achievement was the limited nuclear Test ban Treaty, so it has a great personal meaning for me as come up. I know that President Obama is likewise connected to a world without nuclear weapons, and I hazard anyone who goe s in that location feels like a re-create commitment to work for peace in any way that we can. As far as the Presidents visit in that location, I as you know, presidential schedule is extremely complicated, and thats some(prenominal) months away, so I in reality cant rightfully forge on what would be possible. wonder as translated convey you. Next on Okinawa, an Okinawa newspaper is asking me to ask about Okinawa. As as you referred to in your institution, you talked about the return of lands south of Kadena, and you likewise participated in the story service this year. Okinawa has a unique account compared to other split of Japan and has a high immersion of U.S. bases. So what do you hark bum about this reality? Okinawa is debate the landfill project and move of Futenma, so what do you turn over about this point? And if Japan were to propose a Plan B election to the Henoko jut, is the U.S. liberation to consider it? thank you. embassador Kennedy healthful , Okinawa the United States, first of all, is kit and caboodle very hard to be a good neighbor, and we are very gratifying to the people of Okinawa for the hold in that they have given to generations of U.S. service men and women. I visited at that place four or five times now, and Im unendingly struck by the strength of the communities and as s intumesce up as the commitment of our service men and women.We are works(a) hard to foreshorten the impact of the bases. We experience how important this is. peck worked very hard, considered numerous options, and developed this plan that I regain is the best of any other plan that was considered. And I count that we are at a bout point, and that once the coterminous few years will be critical and once we are able to move MCAS Futenma out of Naha, that the situation will improve. And were committed to doing that. We are working hard to do it as fast as possible. We have taken these early land return steps, as you know, and we are working to give to return additional lands as easily as to realign our forces. So I animadvert the future will be better, and I turn over that that plan is the plan that we should implement as fast as possible. perplexity as translated Next question, on refugees, Syrian refugees are flowing into Europe, and there was a terrorist round off in Paris, and even in the presidential election campaign, the refugee issue is under the patch right now. It is a political issue in Japan as well, so I would appreciate your eyeshot on the refugee issue. Thank you very much. embassador Kennedy I moot anyone who has false on the television can see that this is becoming the humanitarian issue of our time. I mean, this is a commodious crisis, and the United States is is working hard, and so is Japan. Were grateful for the major contri stillions that Japan has made to improve the lives of the refugees and support them. President Obama has been very clear that we are committed t o destroying ISIL and that we must as well welcome refugees into the United States and and not sort against any Muslim-Americans that are that are our neighbors and our friends. And so I look at that this issue is going to be with us for some time, and all countries have an obligation to solve the implicit in(p) conflict that is do this crisis as well as to help the families who are constrained to leave their homeland. fountainhead as translated One last question This year happens to be the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and Prime Minister Abe made a statement. And embassador, you expressed dashing hopes when Prime Minister Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine, but what do you call in about his statement this year?Ambassador Kennedy Well I was here for the year, and I watched the process that the elevation minister conducted with a add-in and discussion, and I thought that the the United States government welcomed the statement that he released, and it had a strong expression of remorse for the past suffering that was caused by Japan as well as a commitment to conduct previous government statements. So I venture that the United States and all countries have intercourse that Japans come in over the last 70 years has very been a model for all nations. Its contributed to peace and stability and play a great role internationally, and so I echo that that the U.S. government, the President, and repository Kerryall issued statements of support for the prime ministers statement. interview as translated Thank you.On TPP I have two questions. You said the sexual relation will pass TPP for approval, but the U.S. is posture towards the political season, and both parties are oppose the TPP. So why are you so optimistic about TPP? Next, on Japanese agriculture, Japanese farmers invade about losing markets against catchpenny(prenominal) foreign clear including from the United States, but there are some options for Japanese farmers to export o verseas, so do you have any tips for Japanese farmers so that their get may be welcomed in the United States? Thank you.Ambassador Kennedy Well, if I can take the second question first, Japanese farmers sustain the most amazing products among the most amazing products in the world, so no one but Japanese farmers could produce the peach-flavored strawberry in the winter. And I have met young Japanese farmers. I work with the EnGei Agricultural high school, and I see the young people there who are committed to careers in agriculture. They have They in like manner take care of bonsai plants at the Embassy that they are lending to me. And Ive met with futurity Farmers of Japan and Future Farmers of America, and I know that these partnerships have been going for 50 years or more. And so I have no doubt that Japanese farmers will succeed in deep down the TPP context. And there will be, you know, challenges, but I visited farms where many generations are working together and growin g amazing things. Theyre selling right away to consumers. Theyre selling their products, you know, in innovative ways, so and I find that what they what they produce is so exceptional that Im footsure that they will be successful. As far as TPP goes, mete out agreements are never easy to pass, but the American they incessantly do, and President Obama is abruptly committed to this agreement, and he has a very strong record of achievement on things that he cares deeply about, and so I have no doubt that when this all comes together that TPP will pass. As far as politics, thats something else.Question as translated Thank you. Next, on women So you said that you have been asked by the President to share your experience with the Japanese people, and when you look at the gender gap index, Japan is beneath 100th in the world. Bu what do you think could be the find for Japan to move forward with womens packaging in clubhouse? Thank you.Ambassador Kennedy Well, the first of all let me say that this is an issue that the U.S. has to work on as well. We have not solved this problem. Its bland too intemperate to balance work and family in the United States, but I think that by sharing our experiences we all can hopefully do better. I dont think theres one thing one breakthrough. I think this is going to take a keep up effort, and its going to have to involve men, women, children, businesses, academe and I think that this is certainly something that is in the the long-term busy of Japan and the short interest of its families and workers.And I think the prime minister has set forward many of the measures that need to be implemented. People know what they are revisions in the tax code, legislation, tractability in the labor market there are many, many things that we that we could name, but I think the main(prenominal) thing is the commitment to steady progress, and I the women that I have seen in Japan are so dynamic, and and I think that they ve ry have the power to transform anything they set their mind to. So I am calibre and hopeful that this will be a successful initiative. Ive seen progress since Ive been here, and Im, you know, honored to be a part of it and to to watch and sunniness from the sidelines.Question as translated Thank you. Ambassador, you touched upon student exchange. So some Japanese young people are inward-looking, so could you explicate to them what could be the merits of poring over in the United States or U.S. colleges?Ambassador Kennedy Well, I understand why they dont want to leave Japan. Its rightfully wonderful here, but I will say that I think that canvass in another country is one of the most transformative experiences you can have, and everyone that Ive spoken to myself include who have fagged time perusal in another country find that it changes your life. It gives you great perspective on your home as well as the country in which youre studying, and it opens up possibilities for yo ur future that you would have never considered.And I think that that its also true that more Japanese women than men study abroad, so I think and as companies broaden and the worlds more interconnected, I think that that Japan should take wages of this great resource as well. I think for the for kids and for parents theres this is really a great adventure, and one of the things thats fire about having children is is cosmos part of their adventure, and I think that they unremarkably come home, so I always say to parents not to worry. But to the kids I think its its really one of the superior experiences you can have, and you will come home and find opportunities and success that you that are much greater than you would have had you not taken that chance.And so I think businesses really need to work on this and incite kids that they wont lose out in the job-recruitment cycle. And I think that universities need to work on it to make it easier for students to go back and forth. And I think were working at the Embassy to partner working with MEXT to create partnerships between institutions that will make it easier for students to transfer credits, to go back and forth, to have internships. And I think that what were seeing is that there are people who are concerned in doing this, but we need to make it easier easier for them.And I would like to say that there are record numbers of Americans coming to Japan in the last few years, so we need to work on the Japanese numbers, but at least our message is acquiring through in the United States.Formal presentation of gift to Ambassador KennedyBook/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by McGraw-Hill (2008)1 PDF of Guidelines here (Source www.us.emb-japan.go.jp)2 at that place is considerable controversy, regionally and beyond, concerning U.S.-Japan consolidation efforts deep down the Okinawa Prefecture see, for example, here, here, here, and here.3 integrating Plan for Facilities and Areas in Okinaw a.pdf (Source www.mofa.go.jp)4 approximate quotation, provided the reference is to Secretary Kerrys COP21 Plenary Session remarks which ran how we implement our targets, how we build this agreement, how we build it out for each of our nations and how we confirm it in the time ahead that is what will determine whether were actually able to address one of the most complex challenges humankind has ever faced. A Google search did not make up any alternative content imputable to Secretary Kerry which as closely resembled the comments cited by Ambassador Kennedy. both sets of remarks, however, are intimately similar in meaning.5 See, for example, these resources6 Q transcription at this point forward from Japanese to slope only is a combination of the above in-video recording rendering and a translation provided by japan.usembassy.govSee also (offsite) The U.S.-Japan conglutination Review of the Guidelines for apology Cooperation.pdf (INSS Strategic Perspectives 18 March 2015 ) auditory sensation Source DVIDShub.net human body of Kennedy Source japan.usembassy.gov phone Note AR-XE = American Rhetoric innate EnhancementU.S. right of first publication Status textbook of address QA excluded and sound = Property of AmericanRhetoric.com. word-painting = Uncertain.Chairman Nishimuras introductory remarks and positive introduction of Ambassador KennedyAmbassador Kennedy redeeming(prenominal) Afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to this gathering. Id like to thank Managing theatre director Yoshinori Nakai for welcoming me here today and Chairman Yoichi Nishimura of the planning citizens committee for serving as the moderator. And thank you all for coming.