Self-defense ship Joint training with the Malaysian Navy September 20 16:00 to stabilize the maritime transport route

A Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship called at a port in eastern Malaysia facing the South China Sea for three days until the 20th, and conducted joint training with the local navy. In the South China Sea, China is expanding into the ocean, and Japan wants to strengthen its relationship with Malaysia and stabilize the maritime transport route.

Asagiri, the Maritime Self-Defense Forces escort ship, visited the port of Kuantan in eastern Malaysia on the 18th after returning to Japan after completing the anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, Africa.

Malaysia is a strategic point for maritime traffic facing the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, and “Asagiri” had exchanges with the Malaysian Navy during the three-day port call.

In the South China Sea, China is strengthening its advance into the ocean, for example, by moving to a military base, and Japan wants to expand its values ​​such as the rule of law and freedom of navigation to stabilize maritime transport routes.

“The exchange with the Malaysian military is considered to lead to the stability of the surrounding waters and the South China Sea. It is important to further strengthen the relationship in the future.” It was.