Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Japan from Oct. 7-8 to meet with senior Japanese officials and officiate the U.S. Forces Japan change of command.
Paparo met with Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen; Minister of Foreign Affairs Iwaya Takeshi; National Security Advisor Akiba Takeo; Japan Joint Staff Chief of Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide; and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel.
In their discussions, Paparo reaffirmed the shared commitment to strengthen regional collaboration and address current security challenges. He emphasized appreciation for the continued progress of the trilateral cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other regional partners, including Australia and Philippines. Paparo emphasized the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence with Japan and the modernization of Alliance command and control (C2) frameworks, including the reconstitution of U.S. Forces Japan into an operational joint force headquarters.
During the visit, Paparo oversaw the U.S. Forces Japan change of command ceremony, in which Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp relinquished command to Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost. U.S. Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Laura Lenderman subsequently presided over the 5th Air Force change of command. In his speech, Paparo highlighted Rupp’s contributions to enhancing the Alliance over his tenure and welcomed Jost, highlighting the critical role he will play amidst a challenging security environment.
Originally established at Fuchu Air Station on July 1, 1957, USFJ, with its U.S. Army, U.S Marine Corps, U.S Navy, and U.S Air Force elements, consists of approximately 66,000 military and Department of Defense civilian and contractor personnel 45,000 dependents, and 25,000 Japanese workers. U.S. forces are stationed in Japan pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security of 1960.
The U.S.-Japan Alliance continues to be the cornerstone of regional peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. USINDOPACOM remains committed to the unwavering defense of Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and will continue to enrich the bilateral relationship through cooperation, commitment to regional security, and a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
