Japan-Philippines Relations
Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru's Visit to the Philippines
(Visit to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels)
April 30, 2025
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
On April 30, from 3:50 p.m. local time (4:50 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru visited the Mine Sweeper Tender (MST) Bungo and the Mine Sweeper Ocean (MSO) Etajima of the JMSDF's 3rd Minesweeping Division in the Port of Manila, and encouraged the JMSDF personnel who have been engaged in activities contributing to peace and stability in the region and the international community during the on-going long time overseas deployment. Prime Minister Ishiba also oversaw the main equipment of both vessels.
(Reference) MST Bungo and MSO Etajima
- MST Bungo is the second Uraga-class MST that was commissioned in March 1998. It belongs to the 3rd Minesweeper Division and is equipped with command and communication functions, and its main mission is to lay various types of mines to support MSO and other vessels to defense harbors.
- MSO Etajima was commissioned in March 2021 as the third Awaji-class ship, and its main mission is to dispose various types of mines.