PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo met with Japanese government officials during a visit to Tokyo Nov. 9 to reaffirm the strong and long-standing U.S.-Japan Alliance.

Paparo met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General Ichikawa Keiichi and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamato to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between the naval forces.

The JMSDF and U.S. Navy regularly participate in multilateral operations and bilateral exercises, including the recent multi-carrier operations in the Philippine Sea, Malabar and Maritime Partnership Exercise.

The visit to Japan underscored Paparo’s commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.