Two Japanese warships in Manila for three-day visit

MANILA, Philippines — To promote a “free and open Pacific,” Japanese warships JS Ise and JS Suzunami are docked in Manila for a three-day visit.

The Philippine Navy marching band led the welcome for the Japanese sailors by playing a medley of theme songs from popular Japanese anime series such as “Dragon Ball Z” and “Slam Dunk” when the two warships docked at Pier 15 in Manila South Harbor yesterday morning.

Rear Admiral Natsui Takashi, commander of the Escort Flotilla 4 of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, said the Hyuga-class destroyer Ise and Takanami-class destroyer Suzunami are on a three-month mission.

“We departed Japan on June 14 to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are engaging in a three-month long deployment and cooperating with like-minded partners in the region,” Takashi said in a speech delivered in Japanese.

He added that “realizing a stable and autonomous development is crucial for the stability and prosperity” in the Indo-Pacific, which includes the Philippines and Japan.