The leaders discussed maritime security, deterrence, budget priorities and ongoing efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The U.S.-Japanese alliance is stronger than ever, and is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the region,” said Gilday. “Together, we will ensure security and prosperity, all while increasing multi-lateral cooperation, further information sharing and strategy synchronization, and deterring aggression.”

The U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) operate together regularly. The JMSDF routinely conducts bilateral operations with the forward-deployed carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and other Navy ships operating in the Indo-Pacific. Recent joint exercises between the two navies include SEACAT, Kakadu, and Pacific Partnership.

Gilday maintains robust bilateral engagements with JMSDF and its leadership. He visited JMSDF helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) during exercise Rim of the Pacific 2022. Gilday will travel to Japan next month as part of a trip to the Western Pacific.

Together with the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and Japan are forging a forward-leaning, trilateral relationship reflective of their shared values and regional priorities. Most recently, the three naval forces conducted a trilateral ballistic missile defense exercise in the Sea of Japan, Oct. 6.

Gilday met with Yamazaki during a visit to Japan in 2021.