HIRONO JOINS NATIONAL DEFENSE-FOCUSED DELEGATION TO KEY ASIA-PACIFIC NATIONS

Honolulu, HI – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will join a national defense-focused congressional delegation next week to China, Japan and South Korea. The bipartisan group includes Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representatives Grace Meng (D-NY), Dan Benishek (R-MI) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).

“Each of these three nations plays a key role in the long-term military and economic security of the Asia-Pacific region, and this visit is an opportunity to build critical relationships with international leaders,” Hirono said. “Hawaii is a gateway to the Asia-Pacific and our state has deep ties to each of these nations. I look forward to sharing Hawaii's unique perspective during these visits.”

The delegation will meet with high-level government officials in these nations to build relationships and discuss key national security issues such as cyber security and nuclear threats in the region. The delegation will also meet with top U.S. military leaders and service members stationed in the region.

Before continuing to Asia, the delegation will stop today in Alaska to host a roundtable on military sexual assaults with Senator Mark Begich (D-AK). The roundtable will feature military officials and survivors of sexual assaults. Hirono has joined Gillibrand, a fellow member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, in unveiling legislation to help prevent and prosecute sexual assaults in the military.

Born in Japan, Hirono is Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan and an executive board member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Hirono has also worked to reform visa laws to bring more tourists from Asia to Hawaii and recently hosted a workshop for Hawaii small businesses to help them increase their foreign exports.