Jay Rockefeller: “I would like to raise the issue of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, an independent Federal agency…”

“I would like to raise the issue of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, an independent Federal agency established in 1975 to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and Japan. It accomplishes its mandate by making grants to institutions to assist them in carrying out research and exchange with Japanese counterparts in a broad range of activities from the arts to policy research. Its funds are derived entirely from the interest from the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund, established by Congress in the enabling legislation of 1975 (Pub. L. 94-118, as amended). The Commission derives no appropriation from the general revenue. Mr. President, each successive administration has affirmed that the United States' relationship with Japan is the most important bilateral relationship to us, ``bar none,'' as Ambassador Mansfield stated. It is no secret that the problems inherent in that relationship are commensurate with its importance. The Japan-United States Friendship Commission plays a two-pronged role in dealing with that relationship.”