In recognition of V-J Day on Aug. 15, we’ve compiled a slideshow of images that illustrates the U.S. – Japan military relationship today. Acknowledging the past but with eyes focused on the future, the two nations have created a relationship of mutual trust, goodwill, and respect through six decades of training exercises, disaster relief, mutual defense cooperation, and, more recently, coalition operations.
The U.S. – Japan Military Relationship Today
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Lt. Gen. Kiyoshi Yada, commander of Northern Air Defense Force, thanks U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Miller, a crew chief from the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 35th Fighter Wing, for his assistance Nov. 20, 2009, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Miller made sure Yada was secured in his seat and harness for his familiarization flight in one of the 35th Fighter Wing's F-16 Fighting Falcons. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Morse
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer Akebono (DD 108) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Lake Erie (CG 70) transit the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 2010, prior to joining a 32-vessel formation with other ships assigned to the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 combined task force as part of a photo exercise north of Hawaii. RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, is a biennial event that allows participating nations to work together to build trust and enhance partnerships needed to improve maritime security. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) SH-60J Seahawk multi-mission helicopter, from the Japan MSDF Shirane-class destroyer Kurama (DD 144), prepares to land aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Nov. 14, 2006. Kitty Hawk and her Strike Group were participating in Exercise ANNUALEX, a bilateral annual exercise designed to improve relationships and cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jarod R. Hodge
U.S. Navy Seaman Colton Sears (left) and Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Boyer, both assigned to USS Lake Erie (CG 70), work alongside Japanese navy Petty Officer 3rd Class M. Ueno and Leading Seaman Kaho Nishimura (right), both assigned to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force training vessel Kashima (TV 3508), as they set the brow in place during the Kashima’s arrival in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on June 8, 2010. Members of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force were in the area to participate in various professional exchanges and social events with their U.S. counterparts to mark the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation of Security of 1960 that established the alliance between the two countries. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Logico, U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Eric Steidle (right) discusses anti-submarine warfare tactics with a liaison officer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) onboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during Exercise ANNUALEX 19G in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 14, 2007. The exercise, which was the maritime component of Exercise Keen Sword 08, was designed to increase interoperability between the U.S. and JMSDF forces. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau
U.S. Navy officers participate in a traditional "passing of the flag" ceremony for the retirement of Commodore, Mine Countermeasures Division 11, Cmdr. Barry Bakos at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, May 8, 2009. Bakos was credited with enhancing interoperability, strengthening Japanese-American military relationships, and advancing regional security cooperation during a change of command and retirement ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors assigned to training ship Yamagiri (TV-3515) and the destroyer Sawayuki (DD-125) give tours of their vessels during a cultural exchange festival in San Diego, Calif., June 16, 2010. The festival followed a ceremony aboard the retired U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Midway (CV 41) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lex T. Wenberg
Japan Air Self Defense Force 1st Lt. Nobuhiro Horii (left) and Capt. Hiroki Nakatsu (center rear), F-4EJ pilots, 8th Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, are greeted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffery Doyle, Fifth Air Force, on arriving at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in Exercise Cope North 05-02, on July 9, 2005. Cope North is a regularly scheduled bilateral exercise held by the United States and Japan. The purpose of the exercise is to provide a venue for bilateral cooperation and to improve capabilities and to enhance both countries' air operations. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III
U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Tywan Ballard, assigned to the Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, hands out manga comic books to children attending the 62nd Annual Sapporo Snow Festival Feb. 8, 2011, in Sapporo, Japan. The manga commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford
The Japanese fast combat support ship Mashu (AOE 425) conducts a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser Anzio (CG 68) in the Arabian Sea, Nov. 22, 2006. Mashu was conducting the replenishment of fuel and ammunition for ships in order to conduct long-range fleet operations. U.S. Navy photo by Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Shawn Cossins
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Oyashio-class submarine Uzushio (SS 592) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Feb. 7, 2011, to begin its annual training exercises with U.S. Navy submarine forces. Uzushio conducted both in port and at sea training on undersea tactics, anti-submarine warfare, and wartime strategies. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge
High school students from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School in Japan pose for a photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on June 24, 2011. The students came to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to tour the base and meet the C-17 crew who flew to Sendai following the earthquake and tsunami. The students are continuing their education in Hawaii while their homes and school are being rebuilt following the disaster. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Main
Rear Adm. Jeffrey S. Jones speaks with a resident of Oshima on April 4, 2011, to discuss the progress of disaster relief operations. Marines and sailors assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) were on Oshima Island to help clear a harbor and assist with cleaning debris from roads and a local school in support of Operation Tomodachi. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen (right) and Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japanese Self-Defense Force, plant an elm tree at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 24, 2010, to recognize the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the U.S and Japan. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy
Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison, the commanding officer for U.S. Army Japan I-Corps (Forward), high fives a toddler displaced by the Great East Earthquake in Matsushima, Japan, on April 15, 2011. U.S. Army photo
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer Akebono (DD 108) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser Lake Erie (CG 70) transit the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 2010, prior to joining a 32-vessel formation with other ships assigned to the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 combined task force as part of a photo exercise north of Hawaii. RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise, is a biennial event that allows participating nations to work together to build trust and enhance partnerships needed to improve maritime security. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) SH-60J Seahawk multi-mission helicopter, from the Japan MSDF Shirane-class destroyer Kurama (DD 144), prepares to land aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Nov. 14, 2006. Kitty Hawk and her Strike Group were participating in Exercise ANNUALEX, a bilateral annual exercise designed to improve relationships and cooperation between the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jarod R. Hodge
U.S. Navy Seaman Colton Sears (left) and Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Boyer, both assigned to USS Lake Erie (CG 70), work alongside Japanese navy Petty Officer 3rd Class M. Ueno and Leading Seaman Kaho Nishimura (right), both assigned to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force training vessel Kashima (TV 3508), as they set the brow in place during the Kashima’s arrival in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on June 8, 2010. Members of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force were in the area to participate in various professional exchanges and social events with their U.S. counterparts to mark the 50th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation of Security of 1960 that established the alliance between the two countries. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Logico, U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Eric Steidle (right) discusses anti-submarine warfare tactics with a liaison officer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) onboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during Exercise ANNUALEX 19G in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 14, 2007. The exercise, which was the maritime component of Exercise Keen Sword 08, was designed to increase interoperability between the U.S. and JMSDF forces. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau
U.S. Navy officers participate in a traditional "passing of the flag" ceremony for the retirement of Commodore, Mine Countermeasures Division 11, Cmdr. Barry Bakos at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, May 8, 2009. Bakos was credited with enhancing interoperability, strengthening Japanese-American military relationships, and advancing regional security cooperation during a change of command and retirement ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors assigned to training ship Yamagiri (TV-3515) and the destroyer Sawayuki (DD-125) give tours of their vessels during a cultural exchange festival in San Diego, Calif., June 16, 2010. The festival followed a ceremony aboard the retired U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Midway (CV 41) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lex T. Wenberg
Japan Air Self Defense Force 1st Lt. Nobuhiro Horii (left) and Capt. Hiroki Nakatsu (center rear), F-4EJ pilots, 8th Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, are greeted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeffery Doyle, Fifth Air Force, on arriving at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to participate in Exercise Cope North 05-02, on July 9, 2005. Cope North is a regularly scheduled bilateral exercise held by the United States and Japan. The purpose of the exercise is to provide a venue for bilateral cooperation and to improve capabilities and to enhance both countries' air operations. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III
U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Tywan Ballard, assigned to the Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, hands out manga comic books to children attending the 62nd Annual Sapporo Snow Festival Feb. 8, 2011, in Sapporo, Japan. The manga commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford
The Japanese fast combat support ship Mashu (AOE 425) conducts a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser Anzio (CG 68) in the Arabian Sea, Nov. 22, 2006. Mashu was conducting the replenishment of fuel and ammunition for ships in order to conduct long-range fleet operations. U.S. Navy photo by Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Shawn Cossins
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Oyashio-class submarine Uzushio (SS 592) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Feb. 7, 2011, to begin its annual training exercises with U.S. Navy submarine forces. Uzushio conducted both in port and at sea training on undersea tactics, anti-submarine warfare, and wartime strategies. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge
High school students from Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School in Japan pose for a photo in front of a C-17 Globemaster III during a base tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on June 24, 2011. The students came to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to tour the base and meet the C-17 crew who flew to Sendai following the earthquake and tsunami. The students are continuing their education in Hawaii while their homes and school are being rebuilt following the disaster. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Lauren Main
Rear Adm. Jeffrey S. Jones speaks with a resident of Oshima on April 4, 2011, to discuss the progress of disaster relief operations. Marines and sailors assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) were on Oshima Island to help clear a harbor and assist with cleaning debris from roads and a local school in support of Operation Tomodachi. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eva-Marie Ramsaran
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen (right) and Gen. Ryoichi Oriki, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japanese Self-Defense Force, plant an elm tree at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 24, 2010, to recognize the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the U.S and Japan. DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy
Maj. Gen. Michael T. Harrison, the commanding officer for U.S. Army Japan I-Corps (Forward), high fives a toddler displaced by the Great East Earthquake in Matsushima, Japan, on April 15, 2011. U.S. Army photo
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