WASHINGTON ― A bipartisan group of U.S. congressmen, including the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, called on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to address historical tensions with South Korea to help bolster trilateral cooperation.

The 25 lawmakers, including Reps. Mike Honda and Ed Royce, issued the appeal in a joint letter to Japanese Ambassador to Washington Kenichiro Sasae, just days before Abe begins a visit to the U.S. that includes an address at a joint session of Congress.

“We are at a critical juncture in America’s rebalance to Asia, and we firmly believe that enhanced cooperation between the United States, Japan and Korea will serve as a linchpin of peace and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific region and the broader global community,” they said in the letter.

“In this regard, we sincerely hope Prime Minister Abe’s visit will lay the foundation for healing and humble reconciliation by addressing the historical issues,” they said.

The lawmakers also called for Abe to “formally reaffirm and validate the conclusions expressed” in Japan’s two previous statements of apology ― the Murayama and Kono statements ― saying they represent “important chapters in Japan’s efforts to improve relations with its neighbors.

“We fervently hope Prime Minister Abe will take advantage of this auspicious milestone during his visit to Washington to enhance Japan’s relationships with its neighbors through a vision of long overdue healing and reconciliation which will contribute to future-oriented cooperation,” they said.

The letter came days after four lawmakers, including Honda, took to the House floor Tuesday to strongly press for an apology from Abe for Japan’s sexual enslavement of Korean and other Asian women for its troops during World War II.

The letter appeared meaningful in that Royce, the Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, cosigned it. Royce, though he has a critical stance of Japan’s perception of history, has taken a neutral position on Abe’s visit in consideration of his title as chairman.

(Yonhap)