The Japanese warship Hamagiri arrived in Vladivostok for joint exercises. They will take place in Primorye this week. The Pacific Fleet units and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will take part in the maneuvers.
During the solemn meeting, the Pacific Fleet Band performed the anthems of the two countries. Japanese sailors were greeted by ladies in Russian national costumes with bread and salt.
The ship will be open for tourists for the first two days. Then sports competitions of Russian sailors with the Japanese are planned. Servicemen will play football and volleyball.
The exercises are scheduled for November 25.
Obata Tetsuya, commander of the 15th escort flotilla: "The exercises will focus on a training search and rescue operation: rescuing the victims of pirates. This is the 17th time that there are joint exercises with the Russian Navy. Their goal is to improve mutual understanding with the Russian navy, cultivate trust relations, as well as to refine the skills of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force".
