Japanese Navy visit a boost for Indo-Pacific interoperability

HMNZS Canterbury led Ise, a Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer and Suzuname, a Takanami-class destroyer, in line through the Wellington heads as northerly squalls and rain chilled the sailors lining the rails.

The two vessels were in Wellington for a three-day diplomatic visit.

Canterbury was on the first of two trans-Tasman legs, returning troops, vehicles and an NH90 helicopter following their participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia.

According to the US Navy Institute both Japanese vessels had been part of an Indo-Pacific deployment that included Talisman Sabre and a joint exercise with the UK Carrier Strike Group, as well visits to multiple Pacific countries.

Rear Admiral Natsui Takashi, Commander of JMSDF Escort Flotilla Four and Maritime Component Commander Commodore Shane Arndell spoke to media after the three ships had berthed at Aotea Quay, Centreport.

Admiral Takashi referenced HMNZS Aotearoa’s port visits to Yokosuka and Saesbo in Japan last year.

“We are now visiting Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, and this makes a mutual visit by both our navies,” he said via a translator.

“The purpose of our deployment is to conduct multi-lateral exercises with navies in the region and improve our tactical skills for JMSDF vessels and enhance the mutual understanding and trust between our partnerships.”

Commodore Arndell says the visit reinforces upholding the rules-based order in the region.

“We work together with like-minded partners and the more time we spend together, the more we get to know each other and how we operate, so when the time comes to face challenges, we can work together.”

Both nations took advantage of training opportunities during the ships’ passage to New Zealand. Canterbury conducted Officer of the Watch manoeuvres with Ise and Suzunami while in company, while a No. 5 Squadron P-8A Poseidon conducted anti-submarine warfare training with the ships.

For the Japanese contingent, the three-day visit included official functions and a wreath-laying ceremony on Saturday morning at Pukeahu. The two ships and Canterbury departed on Monday.

The last Japanese Navy vessel to visit Wellington was cadet training ship JS Kashima in 1996. The last warship to visit Wellington was destroyer JS Kikuzuki in 1973.

Historical data courtesy of Peter Cooke, Defence of New Zealand Study Group and author of Ships of War in New Zealand Waters: 380 years of naval activity.