Japan, US admirals say naval cooperation deepening

A Chinese naval official, right, is given a tour by a Japanese naval official aboard the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force naval ship, JS Ise, Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Hawaii’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. AP FILE PHOTO

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Top U.S. and Japanese admirals say U.S-Japan naval cooperation is deepening as they meet on the sidelines of the world’s largest maritime exercises.

The head of Japan’s navy, Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano, and U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Harry Harris spoke to reporters before they met Monday in Pearl Harbor.

Harris says cooperation between the two navies keeps improving. He says a recent decision by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet to pursue a new law that would allow Japan to help defend its allies is an example of their close relationship.

Kawano noted people have long said the navies are at the core of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

He says the two navies have recently been sharing more information and doing more personnel exchanges.