Two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force naval ships JS Shimakaze and JS Suzunami recently made a port call in Muara Port, docking in Brunei for three days.
The naval ships carried about 450 Japanese naval personnel including 93 cadets under the command of Captain Yanagihara Makoto, Commander of Training Division 1.
The visit aimed to develop and foster basic knowledge and skills as well as international perspectives and promote friendly relations with port call countries.
Furthermore, the commanding officers of JS Shimakaze and JS Suzunami, Commander Kanemaru Ryouhei and Kinoshita Yutaka, respectively, and personnel were welcomed by the Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam, Maeda Toru as well as officers from the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN).
At the welcoming ceremony, the commanding officers and officers from RBN exchanged tokens, reaffirming the close ties between the two navies.
A dinner reception onboard the JS Shimakaze was hosted for RBN officers and diplomatic corps.
The cadets and crew also joined RBN in a beach cleaning campaign which was also participated by Japanese Embassy DCM Suda Atsushi and Japanese Embassy Second Secretary Defense and Security Advisor Lt Wata Toshifumi. The Japanese naval personnel also had the opportunity for a cultural tour of the country.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Brunei diplomatic relations to further deepen the bilateral cooperative relationship, which celebration is dubbed as “2024 Japan-Brunei Friendship Year”.
THE BRUNEIAN | BRUNEI-MUARA
