The Ministry of Defense said that the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ships carried out "weapon protection" missions made possible by security-related laws during joint exercises that had been held until the 20th. Announced.
This is the first time that the program has been implemented in two countries at the same time.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the mission was carried out by the escort ship "Setogiri", and at the request of the US and Australian forces, joint training was conducted in the waters south of Kanto and south of Shikoku for two days until the 20th. Among them, it is said that it was "protection of weapons, etc." to guard four ships of both countries.
The joint statement of the Defense Ministerial Meeting of Japan, the United States, and Australia in June this year included the implementation of security missions among the activities of the three countries in order to ensure the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. It is a form based on this.
According to the Ministry of Defense, it has been conducting this mission for the US military since 2017 and for the Australian military since last year, but this is the first time that it will be carried out simultaneously for the two countries.
The Ministry of Defense said, "This shows that the interoperability of the three countries has improved and that even closer cooperation has become possible, and we will continue to deepen defense cooperation."