MUARA, Sunday, 30 April 2023 – JS URAGA and JS AWAJI of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has arrived at Muara Commercial Port for a goodwill visit to Brunei from 30 April to 02 May 2023 led by Captain Nakai Eiichi, Commander of Minesweeper Division 1, JMSDF.
JS URAGA and JS AWAJI are enroute to return to Japan from participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ CUTLASS EXPRESS 2023 (IMX/CE23) in the surrounding seas of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The ships were welcomed in Brunei with a welcoming ceremony organised by the Royal Brunei Navy led by Commander Shahairil bin Hj Mohd Shahlan, Assistant Chief of Staff Capability Development. Also present were Mr. Atsushi Suda, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Bandar Seri Begawan, Commander Ishikawa Kyoshi, Defence Attaché of Japan Accredited to Brunei Darussalam, and staff of the Embassy of Japan in Bandar Seri Begawan. Upon receiving both ships, the welcoming party were invited onboard JS URAGA for a ship tour and a luncheon for attending officers.
JS URAGA's and JS AWAJI's goodwill visit to Brunei will include interactions between JMSDF and RBN through a courtesy call to RBN's Fleet Commander and a beach cleaning event as well as other social interaction. The goodwill visit will also include a cultural visit for the personnel of JS URAGA and JS AWAJI to foster enhanced cultural understanding between both navies.
