SAPPHIRE 26 The JCG-USCG Commandant-Level Meeting

On March 9, 2026 (Monday), Commandant Yoshio Seguchi of the Japan Coast Guard and Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, held the JCG-USCG Commandant-Level Meeting in Washington, D.C., United States.
Through the joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" between the Japan Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard, the two organizations aim to further strengthen cooperation toward the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).

1.Date

Monday, March 9, 2026

2.Venue

United States Coast Guard Headquarters (Washington, D.C., United States)

3.Participants

【JCG】　Commandant SEGUCHI　Yoshio
【USCG】Commandant Kevin E. Lunday

4.Summary of Outcomes

The two Commandants highly evaluated the increasingly active cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard in recent years, including personnel and student exchanges, capacity-building, and joint exercises.

They also discussed the roles of both organizations amid the increasingly complex international security environment.
In addition, the two organizations reaffirmed the importance of cooperation for maintaining and strengthening a maritime order based on the rule of law through the joint initiative "SAPPHIRE" and within mini-lateral frameworks with regional partners. Both Commandants agreed to continue strengthening collaboration between the two organizations and valued the deep connection between the two services.

Note

The joint initiatives between the Japan Coast Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard are collectively referred to as "SAPPHIRE."
Initiatives implemented in 2026 are referred to as "SAPPHIRE 26."

SAPPHIRE:
Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule-of-law based Engagement.

Photo Gallery


Welcoming by the Commandant of USCG

Group photo