The 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS IZUMO and JS SAMIDARE participated in a Japan-U.S.-Canada trilateral exercise Noble Stingray.

From 5 to 6 September, the 1st Surface Unit of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23), JS IZUMO, JS SAMIDARE and a submarine participated in a Japan-U.S.-Canada trilateral exercise Noble Stingray with USS RALPH JOHNSON and HMCS OTTAWA in the sea and airspace south of Okinawa.
The Commander of the First Surface Unit of the IPD23, Commander of Escort Flotilla 1, Rear Admiral NISHIYAMA Takahiro said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy. The JMSDF will continue to strengthen cooperation with allied and like-minded partners for improving a security environment in the Indo-Pacific region and to promote mutual understanding with countries in the region for maintaining rules-based maritime order.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies, not only for the defense of Japan, but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and a security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.

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