News

Forum reinforces US-Japan acquisition cooperation efforts
October 29, 2024 — Defense Contract Management Agency International’s Pacific Command continues to reinforce the growing defense cooperation between Japan and the United States... MORE

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Thomas Miyano (right), Defense Contract Management Agency Pacific’s commander, speaks with Japan's Minister of Defense, Minoru Kihara (left), and U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission to Japan Katherine Monahan (center), during Japan’s Ministry of Defenses Industry Day, Sept. 26, 2024.

Forging Alliances: Voices from Yama Sakura 86
October 27, 2024 — In the vast expanse of the Indo-Pacific theater, Yama Sakura 86 emerges not just as a military exercise but as a pivotal testament to evolving alliances and strategic foresight... MORE

Yama Sakura 86 is a critical tri-lateral military exercise involving the U.S., Japan, and Australia, aiming to fortify the Indo-Pacific's collective security. The exercise focuses on enhancing partnerships, interoperability, and readiness by simulating complex scenarios and integrating advanced technology.

U.S. Service Members Provide Lifesaving Aid to Okinawa Resident 
October 9, 2024 — On Oct. 6, 2024, three U.S Marines and one U.S Navy Sailor were in a taxi northbound on the Okinawa Expressway heading back to Camp Schwab, when their driver suddenly stopped due to a vehicle blocking the road. The vehicle was involved in a crash and inside was a local resident. Without hesitation, the group of four rushed to assist. ... MORE

They are forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nevaeh Segura)

DoD Announces Health Care Supplement Program Pilot for DOD Civilian Employees in Japan
October 7, 2024 — The Department of Defense (DoD) today announced a one-year pilot program to provide no-cost supplemental health support services to DoD civilian employees serving in Japan after a yearlong effort to identify and address concerns regarding access to medical care... MORE

PACAF Band Revisits Sendai
September 28, 2024 — The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia traveled to the Sendai region of Japan on a mission to honor the victims and survivors of the earthquake and tsunami disaster that occurred on March 11, 2011, bringing with them the same spirit of hope and solidarity that first united them with the community 13 years ago... MORE

The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia performs for residents of Kabanomachi, a coastal town near Sendai city, Japan, in the Kabanomachi Elementary School gymnasium, on Sept. 3, 2011. The band traveled and played at Kabanomachi Elementary in the aftermath of a tsunami that struck the eastern coast of Japan on March 11, 2011, causing 19,759 deaths and severe damage. The U.S. Department of Defense mounted a massive humanitarian relief mission known as “Operation Tomodachi”, with the USAF flying 225 missions to deliver 4.2 million pounds of cargo and approximately 2,800 people within the first two weeks after the disaster, providing essential aid and support to Japanese partners and neighbors. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Erica Ashley Huseby)

U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Intelligence Leaders Travel to Japan for Engagements with Allies and Partners
September 24, 2024 — Vice Adm. Karl Thomas visited Japan September 9–14 during his first official international trip as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, N2N6/Director of Naval Intelligence... MORE

Vice Adm Karl Thomas, Rear Adm. Rebecca Ore, and Mr. Steve Parode and staff visited U.S. Army Japan Camp Zama for a brief by the Asian Studies Detachment on Sep. 13.

Readout of Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Ms. Cara Abercrombie's Travel to the Republic of Korea
September 17, 2024 — Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. Garron Garn, USMC, provided the following readout: Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Ms. Cara Abercrombie, returned from travel after participating in bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral meetings in the Republic of Korea (ROK)... MORE

Joint Statement of the 15th Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Defense Trilateral Talks
September 10, 2024 — Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cara Abercrombie, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy YAMATO Taro convened the 15th Defense Trilateral Talks in Seoul on September 10, 2024... MORE

Yokota generates C-130 aircraft ahead of Typhoon Ampil
August 19, 2024 — The 374th Airlift Wing mass generated and deployed eleven U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from Yokota Air Base, Japan, ahead of Typhoon Ampil, August 16, 2024... MORE

A maintainer assigned to the 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepares to marshal a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules at Yokota Air Base Japan, August 16, 2024.

Seventh AF joins JASDF for bomber escort, air-to-air training
August 6, 2024 — Fighter aircraft from U.S. Seventh Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force participated in aerial training with U.S. bombers in airspace between Japan and Korea Aug. 2, 2024... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Concludes Eleventh Visit to the Indo-Pacific
July 31, 2024 — Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Ms. Sabrina Singh provided the following release:... MORE

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru
July 29, 2024 — Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Ms. Sabrina Singh provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru in Tokyo... MORE

U.S. Intends to Reconstitute U.S. Forces Japan as Joint Forces Headquarters
July 28, 2024 — Through a phased approach, the U.S. plans to convert U.S. Forces Japan into a joint force headquarters which will report to the commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, the secretary of defense said today following the conclusion of a two-plus-two ministerial meeting in Tokyo... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken conduct a press briefing with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko after U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting in Tokyo, Japan, July 28, 2024. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Japan-United States-Republic of Korea Trilateral Ministerial Joint Press Statement
July 28, 2024 — Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, United States (U.S.) Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik convened a Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on July 28, 2024, in Japan for the first time in history... MORE

Fact Sheet: Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee ("2+2")
July 28, 2024 — During the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting on July 28, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Japan Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko resolved to enhance U.S.-Japan Alliance deterrence and response capabilities to uphold the free and open rules-based international order... MORE

Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee ("2+2")
July 28, 2024 — Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Austin, Minister for Foreign Affairs KAMIKAWA, and Minister of Defense KIHARA (referred to collectively as "the Ministers") convened the U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee (SCC) in Tokyo, Japan, on July 28, 2024... MORE

Joint Statement of the U.S.-Japan Ministerial Meeting on Extended Deterrence
July 28, 2024 — Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa, Minister of Defense Kihara, Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of Defense Austin (referred to collectively as "the Ministers") convened a U.S.-Japan ministerial meeting on extended deterrence in Tokyo, on July 28, 2024... MORE

Austin's 11th Visit to Indo-Pacific Builds Upon Sustained Momentum With Key Partners
July 26, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is embarking on his 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific today amid what officials said is a landmark period for U.S. ties throughout the region... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III departs Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 13, 2023 en route to Jakarta, Indoenesia to attend the 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.

3MDTF Participates in RIMPAC 2024 Sinking Exercise
July 24, 2024 — 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (3d MDTF), partnered with 1st MDTF, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (25th CAB), and the 5th Surface to Ship Field Artillery Regiment of the Japan Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) Western Army participated in a sinking exercise (SINKEX) from July 11-12, 2024, as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise... MORE

Soldiers from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force fire Type 12 Surface to Ship Missiles (SSM-12) as part of the RIMPAC 24 sinking exercise (SINKEX) on 12 July 2024.

Defense information sites gather for annual FCO conference, discuss network, information capabilities
July 22, 2024 — The 374th Communications Squadron hosted its annual Facility Control Office Conference on July 12 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, to discuss updates to the Department of Defense Information Network... MORE