JS ISE, JS ATAGO and P-1 conducted a Japan-U.S.-Korea trilateral exercise "Freedom Edge".

JS ISE, JS ATAGO and P-1 conducted a Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea trilateral exercise "Freedom Edge" in the East China Sea. USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Halsey, USS Daniel Inouye, USS Higgins, P-8, F/A-18, E-2D and MH-60, and ROKS Seoae-Ryu-Seong-ryong, ROKS Kang-Gam-Chan, P-3K, and KF-16 participated the exercise.
The Commander of Escort Division 2, Captain JO Takemasa, who led the Japanese unit, said, "The exercise focused on cooperative Ballistic Missile Defense, Air Defense, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Search and Rescue, and Maritime Interdiction. Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capability and strengthened our cooperation with the U.S. Navy and the ROK Navy. The exercise has promoted cooperation among the three countries to address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and demonstrated the three countries' commitment to ensuring our common security and prosperity and maintaining a rules-based international order."
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.