News

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

United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement
July 18, 2024 — U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. YOSHIDA Yoshihide, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-soo convened a Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Meeting on July 18, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan... MORE

Readout of Senior Defense Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs Leader's Trip to Adaptive Shield Exercise, Republic of Korea and Japan
June 18, 2024 — Dr. Brandi Vann, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs visited critical allies and partners in the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan from June 5-12, 2024... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Concludes Tenth Visit to the Indo-Pacific
June 5, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III concluded his tenth official visit to the Indo-Pacific region today... MORE

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to Japan
April 23, 2024 — TOKYO — Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Japan from April 21-23, 2024. This was Aquilino’s final overseas engagement with partners and Allies as commander of... MORE

Adm. John C. Aquilino, right, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, inspects the Japan ground self defense force special honor guard with Japanese Chief of Staff, Japan Joint Staff, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida during a visit to Tokyo, April 22, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and mutual partnership, further developing the strategic partnership with Japan codified in the 1960 U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John D. Bellino)

Japanese Special Boat Unit, U.S. Naval Special Warfare Unit Conduct Joint Training Exercise
February 28, 2024 — A West Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit integrated with a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Special Boat Unit (SBU) to conduct joint training on navigation, communications, radar, and more from Feb. 15-17, 2024 at Naval Base White Beach in Okinawa, Japan... MORE

Japanese Special Boat Unit, Naval Special Warfare Unit Conduct Joint Training

Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S. Navies Conduct Trilateral Maritime Exercise
November 29, 2023 — The U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 conducted a trilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Nov. 26... MORE

US, Japan Guard and Protect 2023
November 6, 2023 — Airmen from the 374th Security Forces Squadron trained with their security counterparts in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) during Exercise Beverly Morning 24-1, a two-week-long base readiness exercise meant to hone critical skills during realistic scenarios... MORE

DOD, Coast Guard Continue Support to Maui
August 23, 2023 — Nearly 700 Defense Department personnel and 157 Coast Guardsmen are currently engaged with the U.S. Army Pacific Command and Joint Task Force 5-0 mission... MORE

A service member motions to the driver of military vehicle.

US, Japan host first-ever Space Engagement Talks
July 19, 2023 — The ongoing race against adversaries and competitors who possess advanced space capabilities and questionable intentions further emphasizes the need to reinforce norms of behavior in space... MORE

U.S., Allied Forces Conduct Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2023
July 11, 2023 — Maritime forces from Royal Australia Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, and the U.S. Navy were underway in early July conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard (PV) 2023. ... MORE

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon flies above a formation of surface ships and submarines from the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in the Philippine Sea during Pacific Vanguard 23

USS Michigan Arrives in Yokosuka
July 5, 2023 — The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) (Blue) arrived in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a scheduled port visit, July 2... MORE

The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) arrives in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, July 2, 2023. Homeported in Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Washington, Michigan provides strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform.

INDOPACOM Commander Statement
July 9, 2022 — On behalf of all U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, I want to express our deepest condolences and sorrow to the people of Japan in the wake of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s tragic death. His life... MORE

Army Surgeon General honored by Japanese Army
December 3, 2015 — FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Japanese Army Surgeon General, Maj. Gen. Satoshi Suzuki, presented U.S. Army Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, with the Japanese Medal of Defense Cooperation... MORE

Thousands converge for 16th Kadena Special Olympics
November 9, 2015 — KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Approximately 1,700 volunteers from different branches of the U.S. military and the local community helped with the 16th annual Kadena Special Olympic Games Nov. 7, here at... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 18th Wing Honor Guard present the colors during the Kadena Special Olympics opening ceremony Nov. 7, 2015, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Established by the 18th Wing commander in 2000, KSO is a wholesome sporting and entertainment event that provides an opportunity for all communities involved to stand together in support of people with special needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman John Linzmeier)

Ambassador Kennedy's Meeting with Okinawa Governor Onaga
June 19, 2015 — Ambassador Caroline Kennedy welcomed Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga to the U.S. Embassy on June 19. In their meeting, she expressed sincere appreciation to Okinawa for its vital contributions to the... MORE

Japan, U.S. Conduct Bilateral Training at Torii Station
February 19, 2015 — Emergency response personnel from Kadena Air Base, Torii Station and variousdepartments of the Okinawa Prefecture conducted an annual bilateral aircraftmishap exercise Feb. 17 at Torii Station,... MORE

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (Feb. 17, 2015 ) – Simulated casualty U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Eric Way, 18th Munitions Squadron munitions journeyman, receives aid from an Okinawa Police Department (OPD) officer during a bilateral training exercise on Torii Station. Personnel from the OPD were the first to respond to a simulated aircraft mishap and were soon joined by Kadena Air Base police officers, firefighters, crash and rescue and emergency management personnel along with other local emergency response agencies.

USNS Kocak Grounded Near Okinawa, Japan
January 22, 2015 — The Military Sealift Command prepositioning vessel USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak (T-AK 3005) ran aground off the East Coast of Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 22, at approximately 11:30 a.m.The vessel is located... MORE