JAPAN, Thursday, 17 October 2019 – The 9th Western Pacific Naval Symposium Short Term Exchange Program for Officers of the Next Generations (WPNS STEP) was held from 08 to 18 October 2019 at the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College in Tokyo. The program was hosted by Vice Admiral Yoshihisa Inui, the president of the JMSDF Command and Staff College.
The WPNS STEP aims to deepen mutual understanding among the participants so that they can promote multilateral cooperation as leading naval officers-to-be in the future. It also aims to provide the participants with an opportunity to understand Japan’s security environment, defence policy and defence force development, as well as to understand Japan’s history and culture. The 9th WPNS STEP saw the participation of 30 naval officers from 27 countries including students from the JMSDF Command and Staff College. The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) was represented by Lieutenant Commander Muhd Shahmun Azimin bin Haji Awang Asli, Head of Naval Systems of RBN.
This year’s theme called “Cooperation among the Navies in Free and Open Seas” provided opportunities for participants to engage in discussions and information sharing on topics covering Maritime Domain Awareness, Maintenance and Enhancement of Maritime Order, Education of Naval Officers and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
