Japan, Fiji Conduct Friendship Goodwill Exercise
The Indo-Pacific Deployment 2022 (IPD22) unit on the Japanese (JS) KirisameNaval Ship, conducted a goodwill exercise with the Republic of Fiji Military Force Naval Division RFNS Kikau to strengthen their collaboration.
Captain and Commanding Officer of JS Kirisame, Sakata Atsushi said that the exercise was mainly to improve JS Kirisame tactical capabilities and also to promote mutual understanding with the Fijian Navy.
“The exercise include tactical maneuvering and this is the first time exercise with Fiji,” he said.
“Preventive measures against COVID-19 were also implemented during the exercise.”
The exercise began in Fiji Waters on August 15 before docking at the Suva Port on August 18.
55 naval officers out of the 117 crew from the Japanese Naval Ship along with the Fijian naval officers also took part in the mangrove planting initiative and cleanup along the Nasese foreshore on Tuesday.
Naval attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Fiji and Australia, Amanuma Tomoyuki said they have been encouraging naval officers on board to participate in this kind of programme.
“This is not the only programme we have but we also have other working programmes on board that will be open to the public this Wednesday”.
Mr Tomoyuki said this is a great programme as the Japanese Government is also supportive of the fight against Climate Change programmes.
JS Kirisame Naval Ship
The naval ship was commissioned on March 18, 1999.
The ship was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. Limited Nagasaki Shipyard. The naval ship “Kirisame” means drizzle, has a length of 151.0m with 60,000 horsepower and a speed of more than 30 knots.
It was open to the public for tour yesterday.
Captain and Commanding Officer of JS Kirisame, Sakata Atsushi, said the ship departs today to visit other Pacific Regions.
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