🇯🇵 Ministry of Defense continues to pursue ways of international cooperation regarding the Women, Peace and Security framework! 🗺️
1⃣ of the 3⃣ MOD members to join the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives is from the Ground Self-Defense Force! 🫡
#WomenPeaceSecurity #WPS #JGSDF

Thank you to Naval Special Warfare Group 4 at Joint Base Little Creek-Fort Story for the chance to ride in the Combatant Craft Medium during my visit! Your skill & commitment are impressive & help make the 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 Alliance stronger. - Ambassador Yamada

I was honored to address the crew of the USS George Washington who will be forward-deployed to Japan. We appreciate their commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and the Japan-US Alliance. Fair winds & following seas! 🇯🇵🤝🇺🇸- Ambassador Yamada

It was great to meet in person with 🇯🇵Minister Kihara at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters this morning.

The U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and we’re taking historic steps to deepen our defense relationship.

Congratulations to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Aquilino! 🫡
This week, he was awarded the highest class in the Order in recognition of his distinguished contributions to the 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 Alliance. His unwavering commitment to upholding a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific is inspiring!

Admiral Koehler's visit with 🇯🇵 Maritime Self-Defense Force's Chief of Staff ADM Sakai is further evidence of a 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 Alliance that is stronger than ever. This is critical for ensuring a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. #FOIP
U.S. Navy #JMSDF U.S. Pacific Fleet

🌸Did you attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival 🌸 this year?🌸
This year, our Air and Space Attaché Colonel Nakazato of the 🇯🇵 Air Self-Defense Force joined forces with Ambassador Yamada at the JUMProgram booth!
#SakuraMatsuri2024 #JASDF Japan Air Self-Defense Force

🇯🇵 is serving its 12th term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council—the most of any UN Member State.
🎥 The video below introduces Japan's Security Council contributions thus far, which includes a focus on:
👉 #WPS
👉peacekeeping
👉rule of law
youtube.com/watch?v=NLSPyU…

❔What is WPS?
❔Why is it important to the Japan Self-Defense Force?
❔What is the JSDF doing to implement it?
These questions (and more!) are answered in the infographics below:
#WPS #WomenPeaceSecurity Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces

mod.go.jp/j/approach/wps…

In addition to the combined amphibious capabilities of the U.S. Marines & #JGSDF , Iron Fist increases interoperability between:
🇺🇸 U.S. Navy
🇯🇵 Maritime Self-Defense Force ( #JMSDF )
It also focuses on advanced marksmanship, fire support operations, fire & maneuver assaults, & more!

#ICYMI : Prime Minister Kishida delivered a speech to Congress yesterday, addressing the evolution of the 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 alliance & friendship and looking to new opportunities for partnership in the future. This includes multiple layers of defense & security cooperation.
🎥Some highlights:

As part of his state visit, 🇯🇵 Prime Minister Kishida visited Arlington National Cemetery this week to participate in a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 🫡
For a closer look, check out the video below!

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force joined the U.S. Navy for a 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 bilateral exercise known as SWATT24 (Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training 2024). #JMSDF began participating in this exercise last year and is one of the newest endeavors in the historic alliance.

🇯🇵 JS Akebono, a Murasame-class destroyer of the #JMSDF , conducted a multilateral exercise in the South China Sea with:
🇺🇸U.S. Navy
🇦🇺Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Air Force
🇵🇭Philippine Navy
Cooperation with allied & like-minded navies is key for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. #FOIP

Last week, Admiral Paparo concluded his service as Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. 🫡
We join the #JMSDF in welcoming Admiral Koehler as the new Commander, & we look forward to continuing the strong friendship at the core of the 🇯🇵-🇺🇸 Alliance.

Last month, Rear Admiral Hayamizu ( #JMSDF ) and Colonel Masaka ( #JGSDF ) had the opportunity to speak to students at the Marine Corps University about the importance of the 🇺🇸-🇯🇵 Security Alliance & how it remains at the core of Indo-Pacific security.

🌸Right as the DC cherry blossoms reached their peak bloom, so too did the bilateral 🇺🇸-🇯🇵Strategic Dialogue!
Our thanks to U.S. Navy VADM Black for hosting RADM Takenaka for the culmination of strategic talks & discussion that will continue to grow and blossom year after year.🌸

This week, we celebrated the U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen who were selected to serve their first assignment in Japan!
We are grateful to the historical and ongoing ties between the 🇺🇸 Navy and the 🇯🇵 Maritime Self-Defense Force. May our deeply rooted relations continue to blossom!🌸

Rear Admiral Takenaka of the #JMSDF Maritime Staff Office met with his U.S. counterpart Vice Admiral Gene Black for a bilateral strategic dialogue, highlighting capabilities across warfare domains & building on the 2020 Strategic Approach Plan between Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force & U.S. Navy.

We had the pleasure of hosting the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's Central Band for an exciting night of music and fun at the Embassy! They played both 🇺🇸 & 🇯🇵 music, as well as a medley of international marches.🎶
陸上自衛隊中央音楽隊公式