TOKYO – U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Commander Adm. Samuel J. Paparo visited Japan from May 27-29, 2024, for his first visit since assuming the position earlier this month.
Paparo met with senior Japanese government officials, including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Yoshihide Yoshida, and National Security Advisor Atsuo Suzuki. He emphasized the U.S. commitment to advancing shared interests in making the Indo-Pacific region more peaceful, stable, and prosperous. Topics discussed included North Korea's recent missile launches and repeated violations of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as trilateral military cooperation between Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S. following the first-ever summit between the leaders of Japan, the U.S., and the ROK in April.
Minister Paparo expressed his appreciation for Japan's leadership in building alliances with like-minded partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Both the United States and Japan emphasized their commitment to upholding their alliance agreement and shared fundamental values of freedom, democracy, and a rules-based international order in accordance with international law.
Paparo was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Brigadier General George Lowell IV, Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces Japan.
