New Delhi: Japanese Ships (JS) Bungo and Takashima of Minesweeper Division 3 of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) reached Kochi on a three-day goodwill visit from November 23. Minesweeper Division 3 is commanded by Captain Seiji Ikubu, while JS Bungo and JS Takashima are commanded by Commander Osamu Tomiyama and Lieutenant Commander Manabu Ideguchi respectively.

The Commanding Officer Minesweeper Division 3, accompanied by the Commanding Officers of the JS and the Defence Attache at the Japanese Embassy in India, Captain Taiko Eda paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, during which professional subjects of mutual interest to both Navies were discussed.

A Maiden Bilateral “Explosive Ordinance Disposal-Mine Counter Measure” (EOD-MCM) Integration exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and JMSDF was also conducted during the visit of the ships. Exchange visits of IN and JMSDF personnel to JS Bungo/Takashima and INS Sunayna respectively were also conducted.