The head of U.S. naval forces in the Pacific, Adm. Samuel Paparo, spoke about the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the strengthening of military and industrial base relationships with Japan. He noted the increasing threat from the People’s Republic of China and emphasized the integration of defense industrial bases, concepts of operations, and headquarters between the U.S. and Japan. In addition, he mentioned the Keen Edge 24 exercise, which included Australia and the Japanese Self-Defense Force’s new Japanese Joint Operations Command.
Japan’s December 2022 defense strategy and spending plan focused on missile defense capabilities and counterstrike abilities, in response to threats from China and North Korea. Adm. Paparo highlighted Japan’s involvement in foreign military sales with the U.S., including the purchase of 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles and Japan’s sale of the Patriot air defense system to the U.S. to replenish stockpiles.
He also mentioned the deepening of U.S. ties with other allies and partners in the region, including Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and India. Adm. Paparo emphasized the increasing integration of the U.S. and Japanese navies, as well as the combined formations in routine operations. The overall goal is to modernize the U.S.-Japan relationship to address the current international security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
