The U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, the new commander of U.S. forces in Japan, emphasized his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance during his inauguration speech at Yokota Air Base in Tokyo. Jost, also the 5th Air Force commander, will lead the reorganization of U.S. Forces Japan headquarters into a joint force headquarters to enhance cooperation with the host nation.
This reform, described as the largest in the history of U.S. forces and a significant advancement in 70 years of military cooperation, aims to improve command-and-control collaboration with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The U.S. military will transfer some operational authority to the joint force headquarters, aligning with the host nation’s plans to establish a joint operations command.
Jost, known for introducing the F-35 stealth jet into operation, brings experience from his time at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea and Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. He succeeds Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, who will retire after serving in the post since 2021.