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The Japan Training Squadron of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) arrived in Seychelles’ Port Victoria on Monday for a friendly port call. Onboard the two ships JS Kashima and JS Shimakaze are approximately 570 officers and crew members, including 200 newly commissioned officers who recently graduated from the Maritime Officer Candidate School.
The visit is part of an almost six-month worldwide training cruise, where they expect to visit 13 ports across the globe. The purpose of the Overseas Training Cruise is to develop the seamanship of the newly commissioned officers through various trainings at sea, as they foster their international perspectives, while at the same time promoting friendly relationships with port of call countries.
The Chief of Staff of the Seychelles Defence Forces, Jean Attala, greeted the officers from the squadron. There representatives of the Seychelles Defence Forces, the Embassy of Japan, the Seychelles Japan Alumni Association as well as the School for the Deaf in Seychelles were at the port to welcome the squadron.
These courtesy visits are an opportune moment to exchange best practices on both sides. This is especially helpful during the times when several countries are participating in certain operations and everyone is aware of how each side usually operates, stated Jean Attala. There will be visits organised for the cadets on board in which they will have the opportunity to observe different facilities such as the Coast Guard at Perseverance and the Airforce base at Pointe Larue. There will, of course, be interactions between the senior officers on board and high officials from Seychelles, said Attala.
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As part of the activities during their visit, there will be an open day on Tuesday, June 18, the day on which Seychelles celebrates its Constitution Day, for an hour and a half starting from 10 am. Members of the public will be able to visit the ships.
