Japan Minister of Defense visits Yokota U.S. Air Force Logo Oct. 17, 2023 231010-F-PJ020-1061 U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Roddan, right, 374th Airlift Wing commander, greets Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 10, 2023. The U.S. Department of Defense is committed to strengthening our allies and partners in the U.S.-Japan Alliance and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Slater) Details Download 231010-F-PJ020-1048 From right, U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Dunn, 374th Airlift Wing command chief, and U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Roddan, 374th AW commander, bow as Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara arrives at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 10, 2023. Kihara has served as Japan's Minister of Defense since September 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Slater) Details Download Japanese Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara visited at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 10, 2023. Kihara has served as Japan’s Minister of Defense since September 2023. Yokota leaders regularly meet with officials from the Japan Ministry of Defense to discuss the shared security of the region and continue to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and Japan.