Japanese Navy ships in Kochi

Even as Indian and Japanese Navies completed JIMEX 12 the first ever Naval exercise between the two countries, off Tokyo last week, two Japanese Navy (Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force- JMSDF) Ships JDS Murasame and JDS Harusame called at Kochi yesterday after completing their four month anti piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden. Captain Katsuya Yamamoto, Commander Escort Division One is embarked on JDS Murasame as the Senior Officer. The ships were received at the berth by representatives from Southern Naval Command with the Band in attendance.
Captain Yamamoto and Commanding Officers of the two ships called on Rear Admiral Shrikhande, Chief of Staff today. The itinerary of the Japanese Navy tomorrow includes briefings on Anti Piracy measures and other professional exchanges. There will also be a “Passage Exercise” at sea between the two Navies on their departure from Kochi on 16th morning.
In another event, Southern Naval Command hosted 73 international student officers from 15 countries who have commenced their specialization courses at various training schools at Naval Base. In his welcome remarks, Rear Admiral Shrikhande  on behalf of the Commander in Chief, wished them a professionally and personally rewarding experience in “Gods Own Country” and with the Indian Navy adding that their presence was a very important manifestation of the good relationship between their countries and India.