Top Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps David Berger meets Japan's PM Yoshihide Suga

Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps David Berger on Tuesday met with the recently elected Prime Minister of Japan Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday.

"This trip, for me, is very important to listen and to understand how your leader sees the path ahead," said Berger, adding that he agreed that the alliance "has never been stronger but also never been more important".

Suga echoed Berger's remark, noting that the alliance plays a crucial role in achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific and solving the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

The prime minister also emphasized the importance of sharing information to have better relationships between the U.S. Marines and local people in Okinawa prefecture, where about 70% of U.S. military bases and facilities in Japan are located.

(Image: AP)