Readout: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Japan, April 15-16

23 April 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Japan, April 15-16, 2024, to reaffirm the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

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Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self Defense-Forces, in Tokyo, April 17, 2024. Koehler met with Yoshida to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Koehler met with senior Japanese officials to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Raymond F. Greene, the Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, April 15, 2024. Koehler met with Greene to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Tokyo, April 15, 2024. Koehler met with Sakai to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), salute the formation after conducting a pass-in-review of JMSDF sailors in Tokyo, April 15, 2024. Koehler met with Sakai to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Ichigaya War Memorial in Tokyo, Japan, April 15, 2024. Koehler laid the wreath to honor Japan Self Defense Force members who have died in service. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, lays a wreath at the Ichigaya War Memorial in Tokyo, Japan, April 15, 2024. Koehler laid the wreath to honor Japan Self Defense Force members who have died in service. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self Defense-Forces, in Tokyo, April 17, 2024. Koehler met with Yoshida to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, shakes hands with Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Joint Staff of the Japan Self Defense-Forces, following a meeting in Tokyo, April 17, 2024. Koehler met with Yoshida to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

The meetings included:

Administrative Vice Minister of Defense Mr. Kazuo Masuda

Minister of Foreign Affairs, North American Affairs Bureau Deputy Director General Shingo Miyamoto

Yokosuka City Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji

Japan Joint Staff Chairman Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida

Maritime Chief of Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Akira Saito

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Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, shakes hands with Vice Adm. Akira Saito, the commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, following a meeting in Yokosuka, Japan, April 16, 2024. Koehler met with Saito to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Akira Saito, commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Yokosuka, Japan, April 16, 2024. Koehler met with Saito to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, and his staff meet with Vice Adm. Akira Saito, commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, center right, in Yokosuka, Japan, April 16, 2024. Koehler met with Saito to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, meets with Vice Adm. Akira Saito, the commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, center left in Yokosuka, Japan, April 16, 2024. Koehler met with Saito to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reaffirmed the U.S. Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, and Vice Adm. Akira Saito, the commander in chief of the Self-Defense Fleet, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, right, pose for a photo with recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal in Yokosuka, Japan, April 16, 2024. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Mayor Katsuaki KAMIJI and local Japanese officials at Yokosuka City Hall, April 16. The visit underscored America’s commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Claire Farin)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, poses for a photo with Defense Attaché Personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, April 15, 2024. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

The leaders addressed the importance of close coordination and integration between the two maritime forces. They also discussed trilateral cooperation between Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United States, and other multilateral arrangements, to enhance resiliency and interoperability between our collective forces to demonstrate the strength of the trilateral relationship, uphold UNSC resolutions, and deter threats to our nations.

Koehler also met with senior U.S. officials including:

U.S. Embassy Tokyo Charge d’Affaires Mr. Raymond Greene

Commander, Naval Forces Japan, Rear Adm. Carl Lahti

During his visit to Yokosuka, he toured Seventh Fleet’s Enforcement Coordination Cell and visited with surface warrior triads during surface warfare officer week. He also visited USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), where he met with Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet.

The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.

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