Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet, JMSDF, Vice Admiral SAITO Akira paid a courtesy visit to Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission and encouraged IPD23 units.

From 25 to 26 August, Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet, JMSDF, Vice Admiral SAITO Akira paid a courtesy visit to Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. MATSUDA Kenichi. In addition, he inspected an IPD23 (The Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023) unit, JS IZUMO, which were in Manila, Philippines and encouraged the crew members.
VADM SAITO gave instruction onboard JS IZUMO to all IPD23 units deployed in various places, “The strong ties with allied and like-minded navies are extremely significant to demonstrate our determination to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ and not to tolerate any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force. I request each and every one of you have pride and a sense of mission as a representative of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and complete the rest of your IPD missions.”
Furthermore, he presented challenge coins to the best members of JS IZUMO and JS SAMIDARE to honor them for their achievements.
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, not only for the defense of Japan but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.

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