This is the first time JMSDF has hosted Fleet Week Japan.
Yokosuka is home to JMSDF headquarters, and hosts the largest U.S. Navy installation outside of the U.S.
The intent behind the joint Fleet Weeks is to highlight the special relationship between Japan and the United States. In 1960, Tokyo was the first city to be recognized by New York City as a sister city.
"We are excited about Fleet Week Japan, and hope that this will be the start of many Fleet Weeks in the future," said Vice Adm. Sakai, Commandant, Yokosuka District. "The purpose is for our Sailors to continue to build upon our relationship, and grow stronger through friendship and shared experiences."
"We have a longstanding partnership with the Japanese and work closely with the JMSDF," said Rear Adm. Brian Fort, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan. "We are so proud to have the opportunity to celebrate their inaugural Fleet Week together, and look forward to a fun week of interactive challenges that recognize some of the physical rigors of life at sea."
The two leaders recently met aboard USS Mustin, which has special significance. Mustin participated in Operation Tomodachi, a word that means "friendship," following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Furthermore, the ship is unique in that the top three leaders - the commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief -- all come from New York. While aboard Mustin, the crew presented Sakai with a popular U.S. Navy Sailor dish - an authentic Navy burger.
Over the course of the two Fleet Weeks, JMSDF and U.S. Sailors will be inviting people to participate in the "Navy Sea Leg Fitness Challenge."
Aboard U.S. Navy ships, any elevators are intended for aircraft and supplies, and personnel are expected to get where they need to go by climbing steep stairs. On large ships such as aircraft carriers, which are approximately 20 stories high, a U.S. Sailor might average a few hundred vertical steps each day.
The "Navy Sea Leg" challenge encourages participants to climb stairs to reach the height of iconic landmarks in New York City and across Japan. A different landmark will be featured each day. The events will range from climbing the height of the Statue of Liberty (354 steps) on Wednesday to climbing the equivalent of Mount Fuji from the fifth station (19,600 steps) over the weekend.
Sailor fitness challenge exercises will also include a "New York minute" plank, and push-ups to align with the new physical readiness test standards U.S. Sailors must complete beginning in July.
In addition to the alliance between the two countries and the importance of physical fitness, during the joint Fleet Week personnel from both the JMSDF and U.S. will exchange traditional "Sailor foods." Aboard U.S. Navy ships, it is common to have burgers every Wednesday; whereas JMSDF ships typically serve "Kaigun" (Navy) curry to their personnel every Friday. Both the curry and the burgers are popular, established, and protected dishes in the city of Yokosuka.
