BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan who is currently traveling on a CODEL to the United Kingdom and Belgium, meeting with senior officials from NATO to strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance in the wake of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, released the following statement in response to Japan Prime Minster Yoshihide Suga’s announcement that he will not seek re-election:
“I wish Prime Minster Suga the very best as he prepares to leave office. He was a trusted ally, partner, and problem solver. When I worked with him as U.S. Ambassador and he was Chief Cabinet Secretary—no challenge was too great. I feel certain he will continue to contribute significantly to the ever-strengthening strategic relationship enjoyed between our two Nations. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I look forward to continuing my work with Japan’s elected leadership—current and future—as we further strengthen and advance our strategic alliance, which serves as the cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and is critical to combatting growing threats from Communist China, North Korea, and Russia.”