HONOLULU, Hawaii -- Adm. Samuel Paparo met with senior Japanese officials to discuss the increasing security challenge in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of close coordination and integration between the two navies.
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Japan, June 23-24, 2022, to reaffirm the Japan and U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific.
Paparo met with senior Japanese officials to discuss the increasing security challenge in the Indo-Pacific and the importance of close coordination and integration between the two navies to pace and outpace those who seek to disrupt the international rules based order.
The meetings included:
- Minister of Defense Honorable Nobuo Kishi
- Director General of North American Affairs Bureau Keiichi Ichikawa
- Japan Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff for the Joint Staff Gen. Koji Yamazaki
- Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai
- Commander-in Chief of the Self-Defense Fleet Vice Adm. Hideki Yuasa
The leaders discussed North Korea’s ongoing provocations and the regional security situation. The leaders agreed that the Japan-U.S. alliance is indispensable to maintain and strengthen a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the importance of Quad cooperation together with India and Australia in maintaining the international rules based order.
Paparo assured Pacific Fleet’s commitment to a strong defense posture with the JMSDF. The two navies regularly participate in bilateral and multilateral exercises, including Noble Fusion, Keen Edge, and Malabar.
He also thanked the defense leadership for their commitment in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) where the JMSDF will lead a task force in the world’s largest maritime exercise.
The visit to Japan underscored United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.