2025 -- S 0934
========
LC002352
========
S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING THE 171ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. -- JAPAN TREATY OF PEACE
AND AMITY
Introduced By: Senator Linda L. Ujifusa
Date Introduced: April 01, 2025
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, The month of May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander 1
(AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States, and is a time to recognize and celebrate the 2
contributions, achievements, and cultural heritage of AAPI throughout our nation's history; and 3
WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island and Japan share a rich history of cultural and 4
people-to-people exchanges, cooperation, and friendship; and 5
WHEREAS, The first official diplomatic contact between the United States and Japan 6
took place in 1853, when Commodore Matthew Perry, born in South Kingstown, led an 7
expedition of "Black Ships" to Japan under orders from President Millard Fillmore; and 8
WHEREAS, The Perry expedition eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Peace 9
and Amity between the United States and Japan on March 31, 1854, which marked the beginning 10
of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries and paved the way for increased 11
interaction and trade; and 12
WHEREAS, Today, Japan is the United States' fourth largest trading partner, and for the 13
last five years, Japan has been the number one investor in the United States, and the United States 14
has been the number one investor in Japan; and 15
WHEREAS, The relationship between the United States and Japan is marked by mutual 16
respect, admiration, and a commitment to promoting peace, understanding, and collaboration; and 17
WHEREAS, Rhode Island and Japan have established numerous partnerships in various 18
fields including commerce, academia, education, technology, arts, and culture; and 19
LC002352 - Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island-Japan connection is further strengthened by the presence 1
of Japanese companies investing in Rhode Island and contributing to the State's economic 2
vitality, as well as by Rhode Island-based businesses engaging in trade with Japan, promoting 3
global commerce and innovation; and 4
WHEREAS, Educational and cultural exchanges between Rhode Island and Japan have 5
provided invaluable opportunities for students, scholars, artists, and professionals to learn from 6
one another, share experiences, and build lifelong connections, thereby enhancing cross-cultural 7
understanding and fostering global citizenship; and 8
WHEREAS, Through diverse festivities such as the annual Black Ships Festival by the 9
Japan-America Society of Rhode Island, the Cherry Blossom Princess Crowning Ceremony by 10
the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the Providence AnimeCon, and the birthday celebration 11
of Hachiko in Woonsocket, Rhode Islanders continue to promote an appreciation of Japanese 12
culture, arts and a warm friendship with Japan; and 13
WHEREAS, In Japan, tens of thousands of people continue to attend an annual Black 14
Ships Festival in Shimoda, a sister city with Newport, and a Perry Festival in Yokosuka, 15
celebrating connections with Commodore Perry and the United States; and 16
WHEREAS, The Naval War College in Newport and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense 17
Force work closely together to promote national security and regional stability through shared 18
resources, strategies, and commitments; and 19
WHEREAS, In February of 2025, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru 20
Ishiba held their first official meeting in Washington, D.C., where they affirmed their 21
determination to pursue a new golden age for U.S. – Japan relations that upholds a free and open 22
Indo-Pacific; now, therefore be it 23
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the 24
longstanding and meaningful relationship between the United States and Japan, recognizing the 25
contributions of individuals, organizations, and institutions that have worked tirelessly to promote 26
friendship, cooperation, and understanding between our two countries; and be it further 27
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby honors the 171st Anniversary of the signing of the 28
U.S.-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity and declares March 31st when the treaty was signed in 29
1854 as “Japan Day”, and encourages continued collaboration and partnership between the 30
United States and Japan, reaffirming our commitment to strengthening the ties that bind us 31
together and fostering a future of peace, prosperity, and mutual respect for generations to come; 32
and be it further 33
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 34
LC002352 - Page 3 of 3
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, Donald J. 1
Trump, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, 2
Congressman Gabe Amo, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Lt. Governor 3
Sabina Matos, Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa, Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg 4
Amore, and the Honorable Seiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in Boston. 5
========
LC002352
========