By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi and Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali
KLANG, June 23 (Bernama) -- The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said its multi-nation maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific are aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and not provoking conflict.
JCG Vice Commander for Operations, Vice Admiral Kanosue Hiroaki, said the goal is to foster cooperation and coordination with regional maritime partners in line with a rules-based international order.
He said the efforts are part of Japan’s broader Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, which champions freedom of navigation and respect for international law.
“Our objective is not to seek conflict, but to reach a common understanding with respective countries on international law, and for their enforcement agencies to act accordingly,” he said at a press conference in conjunction with the port call of JCG patrol vessel Mizuho at Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT), Monday.
Kanosue said this in response to a question about Japan’s increasing presence in the region through joint maritime exercises amid rising tension in the South China Sea.
Last week, the JCG completed joint drills with the United States and the Philippines in the Kagoshima Bay, southwestern Japan. This followed a joint maritime exercise with the Philippines held in the town of Masinloc on the Philippines' main island of Luzon, on June 14.
This is the Mizuho's first deployment to Malaysia. Beginning today, the vessel will take part in a five-day strategic mission involving joint exercise drills with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
The training includes arresting techniques, boarding exercises, and the use of long-range acoustic devices.
MMEA Acting Deputy Director-General of Operations, Rear Admiral Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, said the collaboration would boost Malaysia’s capability to combat maritime crimes, particularly in key waterways such as the Strait of Malacca.
Asked about the Mizuho’s next deployment in the South China Sea, Kanosue declined to disclose details, stating only that the vessel would continue its journey eastward after this mission.
Japan and Malaysia’s maritime cooperation, which began in 2006, has deepened over the years and was recently reaffirmed during a visit to Malaysia by the Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, in January.
“This visit by Mizuho is more than a training exercise – it is a symbol of the deepening trust and strategic partnership between our two countries,” said Mohd Zawawi.
-- BERNAMA
