Rear Adm. Frederic R. Ruehe assumed the top post of the U.S. Navy in Japan on Friday, with about 500 people, including members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, attending his inauguration ceremony.

In the ceremony on the Blue Ridge, the command ship of the Navy's 7th Fleet, Ruehe took over as commander of the naval forces in Japan from his predecessor, Rear Adm. Robert Chaplin.

The 7th Fleet's de facto home port is in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Since March, Ruehe has served concurrently as commander of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet and Amphibious Group One.