Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet attended trilateral fleet commanders’ meeting.

On October 8, Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet, Vice Admiral SAITO Akira attended trilateral fleet commanders’ meeting with Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Admiral Karl Thomas and Commander, Republic of Korea Navy, Vice Admiral Kim Myung-soo on board USS RONALD REAGAN in the East China Sea. In the meeting, they shared the same recognition of the challenges surrounding the three countries and talked about how to strengthen maritime security cooperation.
VADM SAITO said, “Attempts and actual actions to change the status quo by force are the challenges against rules-based international order. In order to create security environment that does not accept such violations, our three navies should continue working closely together and deepening further cooperation with navies of friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific region. The Self-Defense Fleet will continue to actively conduct activities that contribute to the regional peace and security with allied and like-minded navies for the realization of a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The meeting comes after the historic Camp David Summit where leaders from the three nations committed to strengthening trilateral security cooperation.
Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, VADM Thomas said, “This meeting demonstrates the strength of our trilateral relationship and our shared interests in maritime security and stability. Our three Indo-Pacific nations routinely operate together and are continuing to enhance trilateral exercises, combined ballistic missile defense, etc. Our continued dialogue demonstrates our shared resolve to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific and defend against aggression.”
Commander, ROK Fleet VADM Kim Myung-soo said, “To respond to DPRK's evolving underwater, nuclear and missile threats, the strong ROK-US Alliance as well as trilateral security cooperation between Korea, the US and Japan are very important. We will strengthen trilateral cooperation based on maritime exercises to deter and respond to DPRK nuclear and missile threats.”
The three fleet commanders agreed to continue to improve interoperability through joint exercises and to work closely to create a desirable security environment.
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.

• 
• 
• 
•