H.Con.Res. 71

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 71 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 71

Expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in 
response to political, economic, and military pressure by the People's 
Republic of China against Japan.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 30, 2026

Mr. Bacon submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in 
response to political, economic, and military pressure by the People's 
Republic of China against Japan.

Whereas, since 1951, the United States-Japan alliance has served as the 
cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific;
Whereas, on October 4, 2025, Japan elected its first female prime minister, 
Sanae Takaichi;
Whereas, on November 2, 2025, the People's Republic of China's Foreign Ministry 
harshly criticized a meeting between Prime Minister Takaichi and a 
senior Taiwan official at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 
Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, despite the fact 
that such meetings regularly occur at APEC, where Taiwan has been an 
active member since 1991;
Whereas, on November 7, 2025, in response to a question from a member of the 
Japanese parliament about a hypothetical Chinese blockade of the Taiwan 
Strait involving United States forces, Prime Minister Takaichi responded 
that ``[i]f battleships are used and a naval blockade involves the use 
of force, I believe that would, by any measure, constitute a `survival-
threatening situation' for Japan,'' a legal term under Japanese law 
allowing Tokyo to exercise its right to collective self-defense with the 
United States;
Whereas Prime Minister Takaichi further clarified that ``the Japanese government 
would make its judgment by synthesizing all information based on the 
specific circumstances of the actual situation'';
Whereas Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks are in line with previous remarks from 
senior Japanese leaders, including then-Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi's 
statement in 2021 that ``[t]he peace and stability of Taiwan are 
directly connected to Japan,'' and then-Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso's 
remarks that ``[i]f a major problem took place in Taiwan, it would not 
be too much to say that it could relate to a survival-threatening 
situation (for Japan)'';
Whereas, on November 7, 2025, the People's Republic of China's Consul General in 
Osaka criticized Prime Minister Takaichi's remarks to parliament in a 
post on X, saying, ``We have no choice but to cut off that dirty neck 
that has been lunged at us without hesitation. Are you ready?'';
Whereas, since November 7, 2025, the People's Republic of China has effectively 
suspended or blocked many Japanese cultural performances inside China, 
including films and concerts, with venues reportedly told that concerts 
featuring Japanese musicians would be cancelled for the rest of 2025;
Whereas, on November 14, 2025, the People's Republic of China announced travel 
advisories urging its citizens to avoid travel to or study in Japan, 
leading airlines to offer refunds to Chinese travelers and cancel 
flights;
Whereas, on November 16, 2025, Chinese coast guard vessels sailed through waters 
around the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan, prompting 
Japan to deploy its own coast guard vessels in response;
Whereas, on November 18, 2025, and December 1, 2025, the People's Republic of 
China sent letters to the United Nations criticizing Prime Minister 
Takaichi's remarks;
Whereas, on November 19, 2025, the People's Republic of China announced it would 
reimpose a 2023 ban on seafood imports from Japan and suspended 
consultations to resume Japanese beef exports to China;
Whereas, on November 20, 2025, the Department of State Deputy Spokesperson 
stated, ``Our commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and to Japan's 
defense, including the Japan-administered Senkakus, is unwavering. The 
U.S.-Japan Alliance remains the cornerstone of peace and security in the 
Indo-Pacific.... We firmly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the 
status quo, including through force or coercion, in the Taiwan Strait, 
East China Sea, or South China Sea.'';
Whereas, on December 2, 2025, the Japanese Coast Guard intercepted and drove 
away 2 Chinese coast guard vessels that approached a Japanese fishing 
boat near the Senkaku Islands;
Whereas, on December 6, 2025, People's Liberation Army Navy's Liaoning aircraft 
carrier conducted exercises near the Japanese island of Okinawa and 2 
Chinese J-15 warplanes locked radar on 2 Japanese F-15 military aircraft 
on separate occasions in international waters;
Whereas, on December 9, 2025, 2 Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers 
joined 2 Chinese H-6 bombers and 4 J-16 fighters on a joint patrol in 
international waters between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako Islands;
Whereas, on December 9, 2025, a spokesperson for the Department of State stated, 
``China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability. The 
U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever. Our 
commitment to our ally Japan is unwavering, and we are in close contact 
on this and other issues'';
Whereas, on December 11, 2025, United States strategic bombers joined Japanese 
fighters in a joint military exercise near Japan's western airspace, 
with the Japanese Joint Staff saying that the exercises ``reaffirmed the 
strong resolve to prevent unilateral attempts to change the status quo 
by force and the readiness between the [Self-Defense Force] and the U.S. 
forces''; and
Whereas, on December 14, 2025, the People's Republic of China imposed sanctions 
on Shigeru Iwasaki, a former chief of staff of Japan's Self-Defense 
Forces Joint Staff and adviser to Taiwan's cabinet, for alleged 
collusion with ``Taiwan independence'' separatist forces: Now, 
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
(1) condemns the Government of the People's Republic of 
China's use of economic, military, and diplomatic coercion and 
aggression against Japan, a United States defense treaty ally;
(2) commends the Government of Japan's opposition to the 
efforts of the Government of the People's Republic of China 
to--
(A) undermine regional stability; and
(B) unilaterally change the status quo in the 
Taiwan Strait by force or coercion;
(3) recognizes Japan's commitments to peace and security 
and its continuing role as a key ally in maintaining a free and 
open Indo-Pacific;
(4) applauds the Government of Japan's efforts to increase 
its own defense spending to invest in capabilities to enhance 
deterrence across the region;
(5) applauds the Government of Japan's efforts to diffuse 
tensions with the Government of the People's Republic of China 
despite continuous unilateral provocations;
(6) reaffirms the United States unwavering commitment to 
article V of the United States-Japan Treaty of Mutual 
Cooperation and Security, and that the Senkaku Islands fall 
within article V's scope; and
(7) stands with the Government of Japan and the Japanese 
people against the Government of the People's Republic of 
China's attempts to harass and escalate tensions with Japan.
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