The Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), 1st Surface Unit, JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Nuku’alofa, the Kingdom of Tonga and conducted a Japan-Tonga bilateral exercise.

Form August 28 to 30, the First Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS SHIRANUI made a port call at Nuku’alofa, the Kingdom of Tonga. During the port call, the Commanding Officer of JS SHIRANUI, Commander MINAMI Kazuhiro paid a courtesy visit to H.E. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga and Deputy Chief of Defense Staff and His Majesty’s Armed Forces Commander, Captain Sione Ulakai. In addition, JS SHIRANUI hosted a reception to invite His Royal Highness Crawn Prince Tupouto’a Ulukalala, the Kingdom of Tonga, and held exchange programs such as sports exchange with the Royal Tonga Navy, chef exchange with the Royal Tonga Navy, and special public viewing on ship for the Embassy and JICA staffs. On August 30, JS SHIRANUI conducted a Japan-Tonga bilateral exercise with TRN VOEA NGAHAU KOURA in the vicinity of Kingdom of Tonga.
The Commanding Officer of JS SHIRANUI, Commander MINAMI Kazuhiro said, “In addition to this exercise, we conducted boarding inspection as part of ‘Pacific Partner 2023’ with a boarding inspection unit of the Royal Tonga Navy and U.S. Coast Guard’s IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) fisheries enforcement advisor. Through these exercises, we improved our tactical capabilities and deepened friendship and mutual understanding with the Royal Tonga Navy. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with allied and like-minded nations and to improve mutual understanding in order to create desirable security environment.”
The Self Defense Fleet maintains readiness 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.

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