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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR HIS EXCELLENCY SHINZO ABE, PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, TO CONGRATULATE HIM UPON BECOMING THE LONGEST-SERVING PRIME MINISTER IN JAPANESE HISTORY, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, His Excellency Shinzo Abe surpassed the 2,883 day record held by Katsura Taro on November 19, 2019, to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister; and
Whereas, in an attempt to revive the Japanese economy after two decades of deflation, Abe introduced a "three arrows" comprehensive economic policy package referred to as "Abenomics," which focused on fiscal expansion, low interest rates and deregulation. This policy has reduced Japan's unemployment rate and invigorated its Nikkei 225; and
Whereas, one of the biggest success stories of Abenomics is the tourism boom in Japan. Within the first week of moving into the Office of Prime Minister, Abe began deregulating certain visa rules, increasing the average inbound tourist arrivals from just over 8,300,000 per year to over 31,200,000 per year; and
Whereas, Abe was the first world leader to visit President Donald Trump on November 17, 2016, nine days after his historic election. Since that meeting, President Trump and Prime Minister Abe have enjoyed an unshakeable bond and a relationship built on trust; and
Whereas, Prime Minister Abe is a champion of free trade, urging his fellow leaders at the recent G20 summit meeting, promoting improvement in a multilateral trade system, and fostering economic cooperation. After the United States withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Abe began working directly with President Trump to establish a bilateral trade agreement between Japan and the United States resulting in over $7,000,000,000 in agricultural exports from the United States, including from South Carolina, to Japan; and
Whereas, roughly one hundred and ninety Japanese companies have a presence in South Carolina. Our state exported over $1.64 billion of goods to Japan and imported $1.35 billion of goods from Japan. Japanese airlines have ordered over one hundred and thirty-two Charleston, South Carolina-based Boeing 787 Dreamliners and have received one hundred and fifteen completed planes; and
Whereas, in addition to becoming the second largest investor in the United States during Prime Minister Abe's term through investing over one-half trillion dollars, Japan and South Carolina have particularly worked well together. Japanese-owned firms have announced more than $3.5 billion in capital investment within our State and created 3,600 new jobs since 2011; and
Whereas, Japan has promoted bilateral security issues to the forefront by purchasing 150 F-35 fighter jets, overhauling its domestic security laws, and allowing Japanese ships to aid in protecting U.S. ships; and
Whereas, South Carolina has eleven supplier locations for F-35 fighter jet component part manufacturing, seven hundred and forty related jobs, and an economic impact of over $63 million dollars; and
Whereas, Japan has promoted its regional stability and prosperity under its free and open Indo-Pacific policy; and
Whereas, Japan has conspicuously involved our country in its new Reiwa, or beautiful harmony, Era by inviting President Trump to be the first Head of State to meet with the new Japanese Emperor; and
Whereas Prime Minister Abe has furthered bilateral friendship with our country via sport, and personally, by golfing with our President more often than any other Head of State; and
Whereas, there are many challenges facing Japan in 2020 with the upcoming Olympic Games taking place in Tokyo, and trade negotiations with the United States and other Asian nations on the horizon. The South Carolina General Assembly wishes to congratulate Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and wishes him success as he faces these challenges. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor His Excellency Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, congratulate him upon becoming the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to His Excellency Shinzo Abe.
This web page was last updated on January 16, 2020 at 10:17 AM