On July 10, Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell (for East Asian and Pacific Affairs) left Dulles International Airport in the suburb of Washington for Japan. He is scheduled to arrive in Japan on the afternoon of July 11 Japan Standard Time. According to a U.S. government official, the secretary is making arrangements to visit Misawa City while staying in Japan. He was stationed in Misawa City as U.S. Air Force commander.

Until he retired as brigadier general in 2015, Stilwell served in the U.S. Air Force for 35 years. On June 20 he was appointed assistant secretary, the highest ranking official in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department. He apparently plans to visit Misawa City on July 13 where he spent a total of six years in two assignments at Misawa base. The secretary intends to use his visit as an opportunity to demonstrate friendship between Japan and the U.S.

Stilwell chose Japan as the first destination of his foreign visit after taking office. On July 12, before visiting Misawa City, he will meet with senior Japanese government officials in Tokyo.

During 2008 through 2010, Stilwell was commander of the 35th Fighter Wing, the key unit of the base, and engaged in exchanges with officials of Misawa City.