The Japanese Naval Training Squadron has departed for Japan after concluding its visit to the Maldives. The visit was undertaken on invitation from the Maldives National Defence Force.
The visit aimed at improving bilateral relations between the two countries was also joined by the Japanese Training Squadron Commander, Rear Admiral Hidetoshi Fuchino. During the visit Rear Admiral Fuchino met with the Minister of Defense and National Security Honorable Mohamed Nazim, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam, Vice Chief of Defense Force Brigadier General Ahmed Mohamed and Coast Guard Commandant Brigadier General Ahmed Shahid. In the meetings, Rear Admiral Fuchino discussed about possible Japanese assistance towards human resource development in the MNDF and bilateral defence relations between the two countries.
The visit included field trips to the MNDF Headquarters, Fire and Rescue School at Villimale, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Male’ City Council and Male’ Commercial Port among other places.
The Training Squadron consisted of three ships, destroyer class ship Matsuyuki (DD-130), training ship Kashima and training ship Shimayuki. Sailors from these ships participated in a training program with MNDF soldiers. The training program which included information exchange on maritime safety was conducted aboard one of the Japanese ships.
This marks the first visit by a Japanese Naval Ship to the Maldives since the Second World War The sailors also visited the MNDF NCO Academy and Officer Training Wing at the Girifushi Training Center. The female sailors accompanied by female soldiers of MNDF visited the Coast Guard GMDSS at Villimale’.
The visit which lasted five days also included tours of the Japanese ships by a number of MNDF personnel. The ships departed for Japan this morning.