The 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Honiara, Solomon Islands, and conducted a Japan-Solomon goodwill exercise.

From August 3-4, the 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The Commander of the First Surface Unit of the IPD23, Commander of Escort Flotilla 1, Rear Admiral NISHIYAMA Takahiro paid a courtesy visit to H.E. MIWA Yoshiaki, Ambassador of Japan to Solomon Islands, and conducted exchange events such as visiting the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) to deepen friendly relations and confidence building with the country. During the port call, a ceremony was conducted to hand over the remains of those who lost their lives in the Pacific War, and seven of them have now been returned to Japan by JS SHIRANUI. The JMSDF will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in the project to collect the remains of the war dead.
After the port visit, the unit conducted a goodwill exercise with the Boarding Team of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Maritime to improve its tactical capabilities and promote friendship and mutual understanding with them. RADM NISHIYAMA said, “I am very pleased that we deepened friendship through the port visit and the goodwill exercise. The JMSDF will continue to respond to security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region through conversation and cooperation with Pacific Island nations in order to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness, puts all its 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.