JS AKEBONO conducted a Japan-U.S.-Australia-Canada-New Zealand Multilateral Exercise (Noble Caribou).

On October 23, the 46th Deployment Surface Force Counter Piracy Enforcement (DSPE) Unit, JS AKEBONO conducted a multilateral exercise “Noble Caribou” in the South China Sea with the United States Navy USS RAFAEL PERALTA, the Royal Australian Navy HMAS BRISBANE, the Royal Canadian Navy HMCS OTTAWA, and the Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS TE MANA.
The Commanding Officer of JS AKEBONO, Commander TOGAWA Hisato said, “The participating countries in the exercise are maritime nations with long coastlines in the Pacific Ocean, and are like-minded nations that seek to maintain an international order based on the rule of law in order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. We believe that through this multilateral exercise, we were able to improve our tactical capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the navies of the participating countries, as well as embody their strong will and ability to create a security environment that does not tolerate unilateral changes to the status quo by force. We will engage in our upcoming missions while maintaining a posture to respond swiftly to any contingency.”
From October 20 to 23, JS AKEBONO called at Changi, Singapore to refuel and take a rest. During the port visit, CDR TOGAWA made a courtesy call to CAPT Sean Lewis, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 (CDS7), U.S. Navy while the crew of JS AKEBONO took a ship tour of USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and interacted with U.S. sailors deployed in Singapore, promoting friendship between them.
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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