For Immediate Release
December 8, 2004

Japanese-American Friendship Is Still Strong After 150 Years
Fact of the Day

Japan and the United States are celebrating 150 years of diplomatic relations this month. In 1854, the Japan-U.S. Treaty of Peace and Amity marked the first exchange of official documents between Japan and a foreign government, and ushered Japan into the modern world. On December 3, both houses of the Japanese Parliament passed resolutions reaffirming Japan's close partnership with the United States in promoting regional development and international peace.

Source: Embassy of Japan, Washington, D.C.