Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visited on Wednesday two Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) minesweeper ships as part of his two-day official visit in the country this week.

According to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, Ishiba oversaw the main equipment of the Mine Sweeper Tender (MST) Bungo and the Mine Sweeper Ocean (MSO) Etajima vessels of the JMSDF's 3rd Minesweeping Division at the Port of Manila.

During his visit, Ishiba also "encouraged the JMSDF personnel who have been engaged in activities contributing to peace and stability in the region and the international community during the on-going long time overseas deployment."

Prior to the visit of Ishiba to the JMSDF ships, Capt. John Percie Alcos, Philippine Navy spokesman said Captain Amano Shinsuke, the Commander of Mine Sweeping Division 3 of the JMSDF paid a courtesy visit at the Navy Headquarters in Manila last April 29.

Shinsuke and his delegation were welcomed by Captain Emerson David, the Deputy Commander of the Naval Air Wing, who represented the Commander of the Philippine Fleet.

Alcos said during the meeting, both sides discussed ongoing and future collaborations, exchanged insights on operational best practices, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional maritime security and stability.

“We are very thankful for your visit here in the Philippines. It clearly reflects the growing cooperation between the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF," said David.

"From the perspective of other countries, your presence here sends a strong signal of our partnership. It truly boosts our morale as we carry out our day-to-day operations,” he added.

Alcos said the goodwill visit of JMSDF vessels in the country emphasized the strong defense ties and mutual support between the two navies.

MST Bungo, a second Uraga-class MST that was commissioned in March 1998, "is equipped with command and communication functions. The vessel's main mission is to lay various types of mines to support MSO and other vessels to defense harbors while MSO Etajima, which was commissioned in March 2021 as the third Awaji-class ship, is primarily tasked to dispose of various types of mines. Robina Asido/DMS