"We created very favorable trade terms with Japan at that time to encourage the rebuilding of that economy," he said, singling out the 1964 Summer Olympics as a critical opportunity for Japan to reintroduce itself to the world.
"From that point on, the manufacturing capacity and the technological capacity of Japan continued to accelerate greatly; their relationship with America was absolutely vital to that acceleration."
Turning to the present day, Hagerty said the United States and Japan "need to continue to strengthen our strategic alliance" on all fronts: military, economic and diplomatic.
In his new role as a senator, Hagerty is bringing his unique perspective on Japan to bear in his work on the Senate Banking, Foreign Relations, Appropriations and Rules committees. And he issued a warning.
Supply chains
While emphasizing that the two countries need to work together as closely as possible, Hagerty said, "One thing is clear: We need to look at our supply chains very carefully.
"The United States has placed certain Chinese companies on the entities list here to not sell semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China. I want to make certain that Japan understands and underscores the significance of this," he said, "because certain Japanese manufacturers have stepped up their export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment since the United States has blocked the export here.
"We need to be working together," he continued. "Japanese manufacturers should not be undercutting our posture, because we are aligned strategically in terms of dealing with the threat that's coming from China."
"Hagerty is correct," said June Teufel Dreyer, a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Miami in Florida. Teufel Dreyer cited the case of Rakuten Group Inc., an influential player in Japan's wireless network business, whose dealings with a Chinese entity have raised eyebrows in Washington.
"In anticipation that this will come up in the Suga-Biden meeting, Japanese officials have privately briefed U.S. [National Security Council] officials that they're monitoring the situation," Teufel Dreyer told VOA.
The professor said the American concern about technology transfers extends beyond its relationship with Japan. "When the U.S. shares its cutting-edge technology with allies, it runs the risk that some of what is shared ends up in the hands of adversaries," she said.
For his part, Hagerty says that compared with four years ago, when he first took up the post as U.S. ambassador to Japan, the strategic challenge facing America "continues to get more serious, particularly with respect to China."
And that, he said, makes it imperative that the United States and its allies work more closely together.
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