JS AKEBONO participated in the multi-lateral exercise “La Perouse 21”

　 5-7 April, JS AKEBONO participated in the multi-lateral exercise event, “La Perouse 21” in the Bay of Bengal near the Indian Ocean with the U.S. NAVY USS SOMERSET, Royal Australian Navy HMAS ANZAC, HMAS SIRIUS, French Navy FS TONNERRE, FS SURCOUF, Indian Navy INS SATPURA, INS KILTAN, and P-8I maritime patrol plane.
The Commanding Officer of Escort Division 3, CAPT HAMASAKI Shingo, who served as the Japanese Commander for this training, stated, “We conducted various tactical training events with our main partner countries in the region and enhanced our tactical skills. Executed in a main sea line of communication for Japan, this multinational training event improved interoperability between each of our Navies in order to support maritime security and the rule of law in the area”.
Despite the COVID-19 environment, the Self-Defense Fleet maintains strength and responsiveness at the unit level and flexibly seizes various opportunities to deepen friendship and trust with the navies of concerned countries in order to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific supported by maritime security based on the rule of law and contribute to the peace and support stability of the Indo-Pacific region.