- Japan, PH bolster maritime ties as warships dock in Davao
TWO JAPANESE warships docked at the Davao City port on Monday, Feb. 23, for a scheduled goodwill visit and training cruise.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels—the veteran destroyer JS Yamagiri (TV 3515) and the advanced anti-submarine destroyer JS Shiranui (DD-120) —were met by Philippine Navy officials and aircraft as they entered the Davao Gulf.
Capt. Takashi Nose, commander of Training Division One and head of the JMSDF delegation, expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome during a media tour aboard the JS Yamagiri.
“It is a great honor for us to visit the beautiful city of Davao. It has been three years since our last visit,” Nose said in an interview with the media on Monday.
“This voyage provides our young officers with essential training and the opportunity to deepen friendships with the people of the Philippines. We hope this visit fosters stronger ties between our nations.”
The visit is part of the 2026 Overseas Training Cruise, which runs from Feb. 13 to April 1. The mission carries approximately 400 personnel and aims to provide junior officers with international exposure and on-the-job training.
Enhancing Interoperability
Lt. Commander Reynante Vilela, Public Affairs Office chief for Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), emphasized that the visit is more than just a courtesy call.
“The NFEM is maximizing this chance to engage with them. As they approached the Davao Gulf yesterday, we conducted a ‘meeting engagement’ with our BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37) and aircraft (LD 390),” Vilela said. “These activities enhance our interoperability through shared practices and professional familiarity, even in non-operational settings.”
Vilela added that the choice of Davao as a port of call is significant due to the city’s deep historical roots with the Japanese community and the shared values of both maritime nations in maintaining a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
The Vessels: A study in contrast
The two ships represent different eras of Japanese naval engineering.
The JS Yamagiri, a 139-meter destroyer that has served for 40 years, now primarily functions as a training vessel. In contrast, the JS Shiranui is a modern 151-meter Asahi-class destroyer commissioned in 2019.
The visit also coincides with the 66th birthday celebrations of Emperor Naruhito, adding a layer of diplomatic significance to the mission. The ships are expected to continue their training cruise through early April, visiting various partners across the region, and the next stop is Indonesia.
