John Kerry: “I share the view of the gentleman from West Virginia that the work of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission is…”

“I share the view of the gentleman from West Virginia that the work of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission is vital to the long-term stability of our bilateral relationship with Japan and provides it with the balance necessary to counter the short-term crises that constantly assail it. This, of course, is not to say that there are not any real problems in that relationship, but only that we must address those problems within an acknowledgment of the value and long-term importance to the United States of the United States-Japan relationship. I also share the gentleman's view that the work of the Commission to help develop the capacity in the United States to deal effectively with Japan and compete with it where competition dictates is critical. I agree that Congress did to intend to allow the work of the Commission to be impeded by financial conditions beyond its control. Mr. President, it would be my intent to revisit this issue at an appropriate time, not too distant in the future, to move to seek fresh funds for the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund.”