JEDDAH: Three ships, part of the Japan Training Squadron 2009, are due to sail to Turkey today after a three-day goodwill visit to Saudi Arabia. The vessels include JS Kashima, JS Shimayuki and JS Yuugiri. The Jeddah Islamic Port was their sixth halt after they set off from Singapore on April 15.
Addressing a press conference on board the destroyer JS Kashima, Rear Adm. Masao Kawamura, commander of the Japan Training Squadron, said the three vessels, which are on an overseas training cruise, together had 720 officers and crew.
The port call is part of strengthening the Saudi-Japanese cooperation in aspects like naval safety. “The Japanese Ministry of Defense has made preparations for the safety of land, sea and air, shortly after the recent North Korean maneuvers,” Kawamura said.
“We are worried about piracy in high seas,” he said and stressed that Saudi Arabia was a significant partner of Japan in dealing with the issue.
Kawamura added: “We have extended cooperation in fighting terrorism in the Indian Ocean. In a bid to guarantee safe passage for oil tankers off the Somali coast, Japan decided to send two destroyers with four helicopters in addition to reconnaissance planes. We also undertake policing of the sea routes and check suspicious looking vessels.”
The officers and crew attended a reception on board the vessel, which was attended by port officials, diplomats, businessmen and invitees.
The vessels’ officers and crew members also toured the city.
