Matthew Stephen Shepler

Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in New York, Kanji Yamanouchi provides information in regards to US-Japan relations. Japan is a free and open society. Relationships with the United States is vital to Japan's policy. Business relationships include tariffs on automobiles and agriculture. Some issues relate to innovative technology because the industry changes faster than smaller companies can handle. Japan petitions toward the direction of freedom of navigation and human rights.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasible Study authorized by Public Law 84-71, June 15, 1955 (69 Stat. 132). An interim report was released on October 2018. The plan for a storm surge barrier includes five (05) alternatives for a large barrier from Brooklyn to Sandy Hook. Only low tides will occur within the storm surge gate, eliminating public health risks relating to fungus and bacteria. The chief report will be sent to the Secretary of Army; then, a feasibility report will be submitted to United States Congress.