ArticleCS - Article View

Japanese Defense Minister visits Yokota

24-012 | Nov. 6, 2024

U.S. and Japanese officials walk past a ceremonial greeting by military honor guard members

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, walk through an honor cordon at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. U.S. military leaders regularly engage with officials from Japan's Ministry of Defense to discuss regional security and advance the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

U.S. military leader shakes hands with senior Japanese official

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, shakes hands with Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. Jost and Nakatani discussed recent bilateral exercises as well as plans to further cooperation efforts in support of strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

U.S. military leaders and Japanese senior official pose for a photo

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, pose for a photo in front of the distinguished visitor garden marquee at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. Jost and Nakatani discussed recent bilateral exercises as well as plans to further cooperation efforts in support of strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

U.S. and Japanese officials and military members walk across a distinguished visitor garden

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, right, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, walk through the distinguished visitor garden at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. U.S. military leaders regularly engage with officials from Japan's Ministry of Defense to discuss regional security and advance the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

Japanese official speaks to U.S. military members

Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, speaks to American and Japanese service members at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. Nakatani visited the Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell, a joint information analysis and process center that supports both countries in the decision-making sphere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

Military general has a discussion with Japanese official

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, left, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, speaks to Honorable Gen Nakatani, Japan's Minister of Defense, in the Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024. U.S. military leaders regularly engage with officials from Japan's Ministry of Defense to discuss regional security and advance the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan) (Photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan —

Japanese Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani visited Yokota Air Base, Japan, and met with Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, U.S. Forces, Japan and 5^th Air Force Commander, Nov. 1, 2024.

During the visit, Nakatani met with senior USFJ leaders before visiting the Bilateral Intelligence Analysis Cell. The BIAC, established on Nov. 29, 2022, provides an information sharing capability in support of the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

The iron-clad partnership between the U.S. and Japan works to preserve peace, prosperity, and security across a free and open Indo-Pacific. USFJ leaders regularly meet with officials from the Japan Ministry of Defense to discuss the shared security of the region.

Following his visit to USFJ, Nakatani visited the Japanese Air Self Defense Force’s Air Defense Command, co-located on Yokota Air Base. While there, he received a tour and addressed JASDF service members.

This was Nakatani’s second visit to Yokota as the Minister of Defense. Nakatani was recently reappointed to the position in October 2024.