On June 13-14, General UCHIKURA Hiroaki, Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) made a historic visit to Palau for the first time as the highest-ranking staff of JASDF. During his visit, General Uchikura paid a courtesy call on President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and exchanged views with Palauan leaderships, including Senate President Hokkons Baules and Speaker Sabino Anastacio, US Ambassador Joel Ehrendreich, Lt. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, Deputy Commander, Pacific Air Forces, and Ambassador ORIKASA Hiroyuki on security cooperations between Japan and Palau as well as Japan-Palau-US trilateral efforts. General Uchikura also held a memorial service at the Sakurakai cemetery to offer condolences to those who lost their lives in WWII.
