WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, the U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC), today hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a roundtable discussion with U.S. business executives. U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue welcomed Prime Minister Abe and praised his commitment to a strong economic partnership between the two countries.
“A strong economic partnership with Japan supports good jobs here at home and a market for American exports abroad. It also underpins our security alliance, which is based on our shared values of democracy, economic freedom, and human rights,” Donohue said. “Working together, the U.S. and Japan have helped set the stage for greater openness, stronger cooperation, higher standards, and new opportunities throughout the Asia-Pacific. It is crucial that we maintain that leadership. The Chamber stands ready to work with Japan and the new U.S. administration to strengthen this crucial partnership.”
The Chamber also held a private meeting between Donohue, Prime Minister Abe, and Members of Congress. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John McCain (R-AZ), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Todd Young (R-IN), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) participated in the meeting.
Japan is the third largest economy in the world and America’s fourth largest market for exports of goods and services. Additionally, Japanese companies have invested more than $410 billion in the U.S., creating over 840,000 jobs in manufacturing, services, wholesale, and other operations.
Donohue’s full remarks introducing Prime Minister Abe are available here. The Chamber’s 2017 American Growth Agenda highlights international trade and investment among the policy priorities key to revitalizing the American economy.
The U.S.-Japan Business Council is the premier business advocacy organization representing America’s top companies in Japan and is comprised of over 50 senior executives from major U.S. companies across diverse sectors such as health care, financial, and other services, energy, manufacturing, information and communications technology, travel, and consumer products. USJBC companies are firmly committed to the Japanese market and promoting strong economic relations between the United States and Japan.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
