The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi transits Uraga Channel in front of Mt. Fuji on February 17, 2016. (US Navy photo by William McGough)
Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force disembark from a US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey as part of joint military drill Operation Keen Sword in Kumamoto, Japan, on November 16, 2022. (Marine Corps photo by Justin Marty)
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Hyūga launches an MH-60J Seahawk helicopter during training in the Philippine Sea on January 21, 2022. (DVIDS photo by Jeremy Faller)
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze take part in joint drills with NATO allies on June 6, 2022, in the Mediterranean Sea. (Michelle Tucker via DVIDS)
A US Green Beret and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepare for joint drills in Barrigada, Guam, on July 28, 2022. (US Army Photo by Matthew Crane)
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends a news conference following the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) leaders meeting at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo on May 24, 2022. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)