India, Japan Coast Guards to hold joint exercise on anti-piracy measures

On Friday, Japanese Coast Guard Ship Tsugaru arrived in the city to participate in the national level Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX). 

Highlighting Japan’s active role in combating piracy in Southeast Asia, Commanding Officer Yuji Yamamoto said, “We have been conducting many joint exercises on anti-piracy measures, especially in South East Asia. This is our eighth visit to India and we have visited Chen- nai five times until now. However, this is Tsugaru’s first visit to Chennai.” 

Japanese coast guard ships have been conducting joint exercises with their Indian counterparts on anti-piracy measures since 2000. 

According to ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), South East Asia witnessed the highest incidents of piracy globally in 2017. The region had become a hotbed of piracy, surpassing Africa, which recorded the second highest incidents of piracy. 

The joint exercise at sea on January 17 will focus on strengthening the mutual understanding on anti-piracy measures between the two nations. A traditional ceremony welcomed the Japan Coast Guard ship at the Chennai Port.