Japan and American forces share goodwill at annual reception

Retired Gen. Yoshinari Marumo, (right), Japan and American Goodwill Association president and former Japan Air Self Defense Force chief of staff, asks questions to U.S. Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp (left), Fifth AF deputy commander, and U.S. Brig. Gen. Jesse Friedel (center), Fifth AF deputy commander, at the JAAGA 2023 Annual Reception in Tokyo, Japan, May 16, 2023. Rupp and Friedel led the event with a speech on national defense in consideration of the current global environment and how the Japan-U.S. defense cooperation initiatives are helping keep the Indo-Pacific region peaceful. The speeches were followed by a question-and-answer session for attendees, as they asked for advice on how the JAAGA can help strengthen Japan’s defensive forces, inspire recruitment, and levy their prior service effectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey)