From left: Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Matsushita Yasushi, commander, JMSDF fleet escort force; JMSDF Adm. Masahiko Sugimoto, chief of staff, Maritime Self-Defense Force; JMSDF Rear Adm. Tokuhiro Ikeda, director general of the Operations and Planning Department; JMSDF Rear Adm. Umio Otsuka, director general of the Command, Control, Communications and Computers Department; Rear Adm. Dan Cloyd, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan; Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Vice Adm. Scott Swift, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, engage in bi-lateral, military-to-military staff talks in front of international media personnel aboard JS Ise (DDH 182). Haney visited 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Tokyo to visit with U.S. Navy sailors, conduct staff talks with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, make a joint statement to the press, award Japanese Adm. Masahiko Sugimoto with the legion of merit and host a dinner reception celebrating the strength of the United States' alliance with Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian A. Stone/Released)