CINCSDF had a meeting with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command/Commander, FIFTH Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces.

Commander in Chief, Self Defense Fleet, VADM SAITO Akira, visited the Kingdom of Bahrain for a meeting with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command/Commander, FIFTH Fleet and Commander, Combined Maritime Forces, VADM George M. Wikoff. At the beginning of the meeting, Commander Saito expressed his appreciation for the understanding and support of the JMSDF's activities in the Middle East region.
Both commanders shared the common understanding that attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea by the Houthis, and piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden are not only a deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and Africa, but also a serious threat to the peace and prosperity of the international community. Both agreed to maintain and improve the strong cooperation and high level of interoperability between the U.S. and Japanese Naval Forces in the region.
VADM SAITO also visited uncrewed aircraft and uncrewed vessels at the U.S. Navy's Task Force 59, in preparation for the future operation of the Self Defense Fleet.
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the 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.