Japanese aircraft carrier on mission of peace, friendship

By NATHAN WOTI
THE Japanese aircraft carrier, JS Izumo, has left the shores of Japan and is headed for Papua New Guinea in a visit to promote friendship, peace and stability in the region.
JS Izumo, one of the largest warships of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and is scheduled to reach Port Moresby by July 7 and staying four days departing July 11.
According to an official from the Embassy of Japan, the aircraft carrier has already left Japan is currently sailing to PNG with some 500 crew and officials on board.
Economic counsellor to the Embassy of Japan, Satoshi Isono, told The National that this was a friendship visit by the carrier to reaffirm Japan’s commitment to peace and stability within the Pacific region.
Isono added that JS Izumo’s follows visits by other Japanese naval craft JS Kirisame which visited Port Moresby last September and two separate visits in 2019 by JS Ise and JS Kunisaki.
“While anchoring at Port Moresby, officials and crew will have some interaction and exchange with the PNG Defence Force,” he said.
“This will be followed by a
team of Japanese Military Band members who will be arriving in Port Moresby to have special exercise with the military band of PNGDF.
“I hope those visits will further strengthen the (spirit of) friendship and cooperation between Japan and PNG.”
Isono said the planned visit of JS Izumo was an assurance of Japan’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Pacific.
He also mentioned that such continuous exercises and dialogue between Japan and PNG was important in the bilateral and historical relationship between the two countries continued into the future.