JS MAKINAMI conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise with USS BLUE RIDGE.

On July 21, the 44th Deployment Surface Force Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE) Unit, JS MAKINAMI conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise (PASSEX) with USS BLUE RIDGE in South China Sea.
Commander of the Escort Division 7, CAPT FUJII Kenichi said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and interoperability with the U.S. Navy. The JMSDF and the U.S. Navy work closely together in various waters to keep and enhance our response capabilities to respond to any contingency.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness, puts all our efforts to defend Japan by enhancing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region for the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.