The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) is making a historic visit to Cape Town this week, when two training ships will arrive in port.
This will be the first visit since the founding of the Maritime Self-Defence Force after the Second World War.
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JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze were due to arrive in Cape Town for refuelling yesterday.
This morning, the South African Naval Band will perform, and the Flag Officer Fleet (FOF) of the SA Navy will be on board for a welcome address and other activities.
There will then be a special open ship, luncheon and evening reception on board for a limited number of guests.
The ships will be open to the public, including South African citizens, from 10am to 11:30am and 1pm to 3pm tomorrow. They will be berthed beside the Cruise Terminal in the V&A Waterfront.
There are no major events scheduled for Friday and the ships are scheduled to set sail at 9am on Saturday morning.
Approximately 570 individuals, including approximately 190 graduates of the 74th General Officer Candidate Course, are aboard the JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze as part of the Overseas Training Cruise 2024.
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This is intended to offer trainee officers with on-the-job training opportunities to reinforce information and abilities obtained at the Officer Candidate School, acquaint them with the sea, and foster the attributes expected of naval officers, according to the Japanese Embassy.
The cruise also aims to improve understanding of foreign countries’ activities and raise global awareness through joint exercises and sailing in the Philippine Sea, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, and Pacific Ocean, among other places.
The 175-day journey began on May 20 and is scheduled to end on November 11 this year, after crossing nearly 35 000 nautical miles (65 000km). Rear Admiral Nishiyama Takahiro, commander of the training squadron, will lead the 2024 cruise.
Japanese Ambassador Ushio Shigeru stated at a recent ceremony in Pretoria that the visit coincided with the establishment of the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) in July 1954.
‘For Japan, 1954 was nine years after Japan’s defeat in World War II and three years after the Treaty of Peace with Japan was signed. The JSDF was established as a minimum self-defence force in response to the worsening situation in East Asia.’
The ambassador went on to say that the JSDF has evolved over the last 70 years, nurturing a peaceful nation and saving many lives in large-scale disasters in Japan and around the world. Furthermore, the JSDF continues to contribute to international peace and security today.
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Picture: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/ Facebook