A Japanese destroyer commanded by a Japanese female naval officer docked on Tuesday in Manila for a three-day goodwill visit in what was dubbed as the first visit of a warship from a military ally in the country for this year.
The JS Ikazuchi, a Murasame-class destroyer from the Escort Division One of the Japan’s Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), with two SH-60K patrol helicopters, dropped anchor at South Harbor, Manila. The warship has a compliment of 220 crewmen.
The Japanese contingent is led by Japanese female naval officer Capt. Ryoko Azuma, commander of the Escort Division One, according to Philippine Navy Spokesman Commander Jonathan Zata.
Zata said Ikazuchi’s visit to Manila was its first and also for the JMSDF for this year, although this is already the eighth visit to the country of vessels from the Japanese Navy since 2016.
Philippine Navy officials headed by Capt. Mardonio Navarro, who represented Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, accorded the JS Ikazuchi a welcome ceremony upon its arrival, which was later on followed by a news briefing.
In her speech, Azuma said that they berthed in the country in order to deepen the partnership between the two navies “through various opportunities and interaction.”
“I believe that this visit will make a great contribution to further the strong relations between our two countries,” she said.
The Philippine Navy, on the other hand, said the visit “will further enhance and sustain the promotion of peace, stability, and maritime cooperation of the two countries through naval diplomacy and camaraderie.”
Zata said that just like in previous visits by other Japanese vessels, the officers of Ikazuchi led by Azuma will pay a courtesy call to Empedrad before holding pre-coordination meetings.
Both navies will also hold a reciprocal reception along with a shipboard visit on Ikazuchi before a send-off ceremony will be held for the visiting Japanese destroyer through the customary passing exercise.