USTRANSCOM commander’s Japan visit deepens alliance, strengthens cooperation

TOKYO, Japan — As part of a multiweek trip through the Indo-Pacific, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost visited Japan, where she met with government officials, reaffirming their nations’ longstanding alliance.

During a meeting with Japanese State Minister of Defense Makoto Oniki, Van Ovost highlighted their countries’ strong ties, which have served as the “cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific … for over seven decades.”

Against the backdrop of continued tensions and economic coercion in the region, Van Ovost noted that “the American and Japanese people share deeply rooted values of defending freedom,” and, by working together, “they will continue to champion economic and social opportunities, uphold human rights and promote respect for the rule of law.”

Those mutual interests, along with Japan’s investments in infrastructure and consistent participation in combined military exercises with the U.S., help deter conflict, Van Ovost said.

Throughout her Indo-Pacific tour, including in Australia and Papua New Guinea, Van Ovost stressed the importance of readiness and resiliency, and the critical role allies and partners play in meeting potential crises in the region.

“I maintain close relationships with our industrial base to scale capacity in crisis through emergency preparedness programs such as the [Civil Reserve Air Fleet] and [Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement] that leverage commercial companies…for military logistics,” Van Ovost said. “My ability to partner with industry is [our] secret ingredient.”

Van Ovost also expressed interest in working with Japan’s “strong” maritime industry — specifically, an agreement for shallow draft and coastal tanker support. This agreement, Van Ovost said, would bolster the command’s ability to distribute petroleum in the region.

While on the island, Van Ovost met with Japan’s Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, where they discussed ways to improve interoperability and interchangeability through information sharing, exercise opportunities and bilateral logistics cooperation.

“It’s clear that we must forge ties that enable our partnerships to operate through an environment of multidomain threats,” Van Ovost said. “And I’m confident that our partnerships provide the framework necessary to find solutions to enhance peace and security for the people of the Indo-Pacific. “And I assure you, we will retain the ability to respond whenever and wherever our allies and partners need us.”

About USTRANSCOM

U.S. Transportation Command is a warfighting combatant command that projects and sustains military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. USTRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the joint force, advances American interests around the globe, and provides our nation’s leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.