Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, addressing a joint meeting of Congress, was blunt in his criticism that lawmakers are suffering from "self-doubt" at a time when U.S. leadership is most needed.
"You believed that freedom is the oxygen of humanity. The world needs the United States to continue playing this pivotal role in the affairs of nations," Kishida said.
"And yet, as we meet here today, I detect an undercurrent of self-doubt among some Americans about what your role in the world should be."
It was the first speech by a foreign leader presided over by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is overseeing a conference in chaos, with a small group of GOP lawmakers frequently blocking efforts to legislate based on their own criticisms.
Kishida's government has drawn a direct line between supporting Ukraine in its defensive war against Russia as essential in deterring China from launching aggression against Taiwan and triggering a war in East Asia.
"As I often say, Ukraine of today may be East Asia of tomorrow," he said. At this line, while Harris and other members stood and applauded, Johnson remained seated.
Earlier in his speech, Kishida laid out the stakes.
"China's current external stance and military actions present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge, not only to the peace and security of Japan, but to the peace and stability of the international community at large."
Kishida's plea spoke to rare agreement on both sides of the aisle in Congress recognizing China as the priority threat to the present, U.S.-led global order.
But Kishida's appeal was aimed directly at Republicans who view U.S. engagement on the world stage as a trade-off to focusing on problems at home.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
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