Commander-in-Chief of Self Defense Fleet received a visit from Director of the Naval　Aviation Department at the Italian Navy General Staff and Commander of the Italian Fleet Air Arm, Italian Navy.

Commander-in-Chief of Self Defense Fleet, VADM OMACHI Katsushi received a visit from Director of the Naval Aviation Department at the Italian Navy General Staff and Commander of the Italian Fleet Air Arm, Italian Navy, RADM Giancarlo Ciappina.
During the meeting, the both commanders confirmed that the Italian and Japanese naval forces have steadily built up a track record of defense cooperation and exchanges through regular bilateral/multilateral exercises in the waters off Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, in the Indian Ocean, and in the surrounding areas of Japan, and that the bilateral coordination posture is steadily strengthening. They also agreed to continue to conduct more tactical exercises to further strengthen cooperation. In addition, VADM OMACHI expressed his appreciation for the opportunity for his command staffs and sailors to visit the Italian aircraft carrier “Cavour” to learn about the operational posture of F-35B fighter aircraft.
The JMSDF and the Italian Navy are “reliable and inevitable partners” who share fundamental values and strategic interests under the vision of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. In addition, the strengthening of the Italian Navy's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region contributes to peace and stability in the region and is directly linked to the maintenance of an international order based on the rule of law.
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.