2023.07.14
Japan Ministry of Defense
From July 11 to 14, State Minister of Defense Ino visited Hawaii. The summary is as follows. Following dates are on Hawaii local time.
1. Meeting with Ms. Sylvia Luke, Lieutenant Governor of State of Hawaii
On July 11, SMD Ino met Ms. Sylvia Luke, Lieutenant Governor of State of Hawaii at the Hawaii State Capitol and exchanged their views on regional situation and strengthening Japan-U.S. cooperation.
2. Visit to U.S. Marine Corps Base Hawaii
On the same day, SMD Ino visited 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (3MLR) at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii and received a briefing on their missions and activities. 3MLR is the first Marine Littoral Regiment established in March, 2022. SMD Ino offered a wreath to the spirits of the war dead at the Lieutenant Fusata Iida Memorial and the Clipper Memorial in the base.
3. Meeting with Admiral Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
On July 12, SMD Ino visited U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and met Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. They had a wide range of discussion on regional environment including the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea on July 11 and concrete efforts to strengthen the Japan-U.S. Alliance. They also confirmed to continue cooperating closely for realizing the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
4. Visit to Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)
On the same day, SMD Ino visited DPAA and received a briefing on their recovery missions from Col. Brannen, Deputy Director of DPAA. DPAA is an organization that engage in investigation on POW and MIA and also conducts research on the remains of Japanese nationals.
5. Meeting with Admiral Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
SMD Ino also met Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet at the U.S. Pacific Fleet Command. Both sides shared their recognition on current situation surrounding the Japan-U.S. Alliance and confirmed that they continue to work on realizing “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” through multilateral cooperation based on the firm Japan-U.S. Alliance.
6. Visit to USS Arizona Memorial
Furthermore, SMD Ino visited the USS Arizona Memorial with Admiral Aquilino and offered flowers to the spirits of the war dead.
7. Visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
On July 13, SMD Ino visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, “Punchbowl”. This cemetery is one of only two national cemeteries in the United States dedicated to the war dead and soldiers are buried.
