JMSDF ships call on Brunei

A task group of three Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships (JMSDF) arrived in Brunei on February 11 for a regularly scheduled port call.

Asagiri-class destroyers JS Sawagiri and JS Yamagiri and Hatsuyuki-class destroyer JS Yamayuki were welcomed by the Royal Brunei Navy to the Muara Port.

The head of delegation, Captain Isamu Kaji, Commander, Escort Division 11 and his 550 crew, consisting of 161 officers and 389 enlisted personnel were greeted by Commander Azrin bin Haji Mahmud, RBN, Commanding Officer of KDB Darulaman and other RBN officers and personnel.

The JMSDF ships will be in Brunei Darussalam for a four day goodwill visit until February 14.

During the visit, Captain Isamu Kaji called on First Admiral Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Norazmi bin Pengiran Haji Muhammad, Commander of RBN and is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Major General Pengiran Dato Seri Pahlawan Aminan bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud, Commander of the RBAF, tomorrow.

While in the country, the JMSDF ships will conduct a passage exercise with KDB Darussalam. As part of their visit program, the ships will have an ‘open day’ to the public, and the crews will conduct a beach cleaning campaign at the Meragang Beach as well as a visit to Brunei Darussalam’s cultural sites.

The last JMSDF ship visit to Brunei Darussalam was by JS Kirisame in May 2017.

After departing Brunei, JMSDF ships are scheduled to visit Bangkok Port, Thailand.