JS IKAZUCHI conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise.

On December 7, JS IKAZUCHI conducted a Japan-U.S. bilateral exercise with the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS in the South China Sea.
The Commanding Officer of JS IKAZUCHI, Commander TANAKA Hiroaki said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and interoperability with the U.S. Navy. The Japan-U.S. Alliance is significantly necessary for not only the defense of Japan, but also peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The JMSDF and the U.S. Navy will continue working closely to contribute to maintaining a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to maintaining maritime order based on the international law in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies.