Maritime Security
Welcome Reception hosted by Mr. Sonoura, Advisor to the Prime Minister, on the occasion of
the 2nd Capacity Building Executive Programme on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia
May 21, 2018
- The 2nd Capacity Building Executive Programme on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia has been held in Tokyo Metropolis and Kanagawa Prefecture from May 19 and May 25, in which officers of maritime law enforcement agencies from 22 countries, namely the Contracting Parties of Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), Indonesia and Malaysia, are invited.
- During the welcome reception hosted by Mr. Kentaro Sonoura, Advisor to the Prime Minister, on May 21, Mr. Sonoura stated that Japan will continue to play a leading role to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, including anti-piracy measures, in close cooperation with Ambassador Masafumi Kuroki, Executive Director of ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre (ISC), while introducing Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy”. During the reception, the participants also said that they appreciate the continuous support from the Japanese Government in the area of capacity building and that they will try to make use of the knowledge gained through the meaningful programme for security in the Indo-Pacific region.
- During their stay in Japan, the participants observed the Sea Review and Comprehensive Drill in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the formation of Japan Coast Guard and are scheduled to attend lectures on such topics as maritime safety by experts and Japanese government officials, and to visit Japan Coast Guard-related facilities, such as the 3rd Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, Tokyo Wan Vessel Traffic Service Center, Maritime Disaster Prevention Base in Yokohama city, Kanagawa Prefecture, while exchanging views with the Japanese Shipowners’ Association .
- Through the Capacity Building Executive Programme, it is expected that each countries’ maritime law enforcement capability will be strengthened and that regional cooperation will be further enhanced.