Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Japan for the 18th Western Pacific Maritime Symposium (WPNS) and Fleet Engagements, Nov. 5-9, 2022.

WPNS has provided naval leaders from 26 nations with the opportunity to discuss maritime issues of mutual interest while building confidence in the ability to work together for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Paparo and senior leadership and staff embarked the Japanese destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) to observe the international fleet review led by the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. American participants included the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and F/A-18, F-35, MH-60R and P-8 aircraft assigned to the US 7th Fleet. Although not part of the formation, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 77) cruised nearby.

During the WPNS, Paparo participated in bilateral meetings with:

• Adm. Ryo Sakai, Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• Adm. Jong-Ho Lee, Chief of Naval Operations of the Republic of Korea Navy
• Adm. Mr. Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy
• Adm. Hari Kumar, Indian Navy Chief of Staff
• Adm. Pierre Vandier, Chief of Staff of the French Navy
• Adm. Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom
• Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
• Vice Admiral Datuk Abdul Rahman Bin Ayob, Deputy Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy
• Rear Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy
• Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, Acting Flag Officer Commanding the Philippine Navy
• Rear Adm. Jonathan Earley, Fleet Commander of the Royal Australian Navy

He also spoke with:

• Vice Admiral Yerko Marcic, Chief of Staff of the Chilean Navy
• Vice Admiral Francisco Cubides, Commander of the Colombian Navy
• Cedar. Humphrey Tawake, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Navy (also Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF)
• Adm. Yudo Margono, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy
• Rear Adm. David Proctor, Chief Naval Officer of the Royal New Zealand Navy
• Adm. Mr. Amjad Khan Niazi, Pakistani Navy Chief of Staff
• Adm. Alberto Alcalá, Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian Navy
• Rear Adm. Neville Ubayasiri, Director of Naval Services at Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters
• Captain Sione Ulakai, Deputy Chief of Staff of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga
• Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, Chief of the Navy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

On Nov. 7, Sakai, Lee, and Paparo convened a trilateral meeting to discuss improving trilateral security cooperation between Japan, the ROK, and the United States against common security challenges in the region. Indo-Pacific, including those posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Sakai also met Paparo aboard the Japanese frigate JS Mogami (FFM-1) while in Yokohama port, where the two leaders discussed the strength of the Japan-US alliance and visited the vessel.

Formed in 1988, the WPNS aims to increase the ability of member countries to operate together and build relationships by providing a venue for discussing maritime issues, exchanging information and developing international cooperation and transparency. through the establishment of international standards relating to the use of the sea. Its members include nations located or having significant strategic interests in the Western Pacific.

Participation in WPNS and the visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for a sustainable, free, and open Indo-Pacific.