Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Visits Naval War College

Ambassador of Japan to the United States Shigeo Yamada visited the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, on April 20, 2026.

The ambassador toured the campus and met with NWC Chief of Staff Capt. Peter Halvorsen and Dean of International Programs Robert Winneg, among other war college leaders and subject matter experts.

Yamada was accompanied by the Consul General of Japan in Boston Seiichiro Takahishi, and came less than a year after a September visit by Vice Adm. Ishimaki Yoshiyasu, president of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College.

“(The Naval War College) is a cornerstone of our maritime cooperation, having educated many JMSDF leaders, including several former Chiefs of Staff,” said Yamada on social media after the visit. “These professional and personal bonds are vital to ensuring a strong Japan-U.S. alliance.”

Each year, the college welcomes between 100 and 150 foreign officers to the U.S. from around the world to study strategy, warfare, decision making, and operational art. Since creating a program for international officers in 1956, the NWC has more than 5,500 international alumni from 145 countries worldwide.

There have been 138 NWC graduates from Japan over the past 70 years, including 80 who reached a flag officer rank – such as admiral or general – and 16 who became chief of staff of the JMSDF, including the current Chief of Staff, Adm. Akira Saito.

NWC International Programs Department offerings include the 11-month in-residence Naval Command College and Naval Staff College programs, for senior-level and mid-career international officers, respectively, as well as the concentrated five-month Maritime Security & Governance Course and the 11-week International Maritime Staff Operators Course.

Established in 1884, NWC informs today’s decision-makers and educates tomorrow’s leaders by providing educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop their ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.