Expressing support for the Japanese Diet's Caucus for Universal Values in the Indo-Pacific and for continued United States-Japan interparliamentary collaboration to advance democracy in the region.

H. Res. 653 is a House Resolution introduced on August 15, 2025 by Rep. Castro (with co-sponsors) that expresses support for the Japanese Diet’s new Caucus for Universal Values in the Indo-Pacific and calls for continued United States–Japan interparliamentary collaboration to advance democracy in the region. The resolution emphasizes shared democratic principles—such as representative government, human rights, the rule of law, checks and balances, and civil society freedom—as foundational to the U.S.–Japan alliance, regional peace, and stability. It notes the work of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) and its Democracy for the Future program, as well as the House Democracy Partnership (formerly the Democracy Assistance Commission), and it urges ongoing collaboration between the U.S. Congress and the Japanese Diet to support democratic governance and resilience against authoritarian threats. While non-binding, the resolution signals congressional support for expanding bilateral cooperation and democratic assistance in the Indo-Pacific.