Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., met with Japan Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano in Hawaii on 18 and 19 June 2015 to discuss the security environment in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The admirals reaffirmed the vital nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance for the security of both countries as well as for the peace, stability and economic prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

The admirals agreed that U.S. forces in the Pacific and the Japan Self-Defense Forces will continue to improve the effectiveness of information sharing and bilateral operations to deal with common security challenges, while maintaining the strong defense cooperation bond between the two long-term allies.

The admirals reaffirmed that the U.S. forces and Self-Defense Forces will continue to cooperate closely in order to deal with the threat of North Korean ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities. They also agreed to continue to encourage China to play a responsible and constructive role in regional stability and prosperity, to adhere to international laws and norms of behavior, and to increase openness and transparency in their military.

The admirals affirmed the importance of the 2015 Guidelines for US-Japan Defense Cooperation, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective communication, coordination and cooperation in order to address seamlessly and effectively any situation that affects Japan’s peace and security or any other situation that may require an Alliance response, including through the evolving Alliance Coordination Mechanism. The admirals reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral planning to ensure smooth and effective execution of coordinated operations by the Self-Defense Forces and the United States Armed Forces.