Press Releases

This week, Speaker Paul Ryan appointed Congressman French Hill (AR-02) to serve on the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, an independent federal government agency established by Congress in 1975.

The commission’s mission is to promote partnerships that advance common interests and aims to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange.

“Japan and the United States share a vital partnership, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on this worthy commission,” said Rep. Hill. “Japan is the fourth largest recipient of Arkansas exports, and Japanese-owned Tokusen USA, which is located in my Congressional District, is an important part of our Central Arkansas community. I thank Speaker Ryan for appointing me to this commission, and I’m honored to be a part of our efforts to further strengthen the economic and national security of the U.S.-Japan relationship.”

“Representative Hill’s background representing the United States in the historic bilateral talks with Japan known as the Structural Impediments Initiative (SII) and his work strengthening U.S.-partnerships around the globe make him a great addition to this commission,” said Speaker Ryan. “I appreciate his willingness to serve, and I’m confident he will do a great job helping to advance our U.S.-Japan relationship.”