General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Japan Joint Staff and Admiral John Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command co-hosted the thirteenth Joint Senior Leaders Seminar (JSLS) in Tokyo, Japan, Sep. 28-29.

The annually held JSLS demonstrates the continued close collaboration between Japan Joint Staff, USINDOPACOM, and U.S. Forces, Japan. During the meeting, senior leaders candidly discuss security challenges and plan for future joint activities between the forces as they continue to strengthen and showcase their bilateral commitment to each other and the region.

This years’ JSLS highlighted integration and interoperability between the U.S. Joint Force and Japanese Self Defense Force as vital for any potential contingency and humanitarian response activities across the Pacific.

While in Japan, Adm. Aquilino met with Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yōko, and Defense Minister Kihara Minoru.

The Alliance between the U.S. and Japan is a cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, helping to provide stability and broader economic prosperity for more than 70 years.