YOKYO, Japan -- Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Adm. Sakai Ryo in Ichigaya, Tokyo, Japan, as part of his trip to the Indo-Pacific region to attend the JMSDF International Fleet Review and Western Pacific Naval Symposium.

The two leaders discussed regional security, maritime deterrence, and their ongoing efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Gilday thanked Sakai for hosting him and noted the alliance between Japan and the U.S. is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thanked Sakai for the leadership role JMSDF plays in the region.

JMSDF and U.S. naval forces regularly operate together around the globe. The USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) is participating in the International Fleet Review 2022 this week that is hosted by JMSDF. Earlier this year, the two navies also participated in exercises such as Rim of the Pacific 2022, Resolute Dragon, Noble Fusion, Sea Dragon, Resilient Shield, and numerous other bilateral and multilateral engagements.

Gilday last met with Sakai in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium in October.