Two Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) ships have made a significant stop at the Port of Mombasa, marking a notable moment in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Japan and Kenya. The vessels, the mine sweeper tender JS BUNGO and the mine sweeper JS ETAJIMA, arrived on March 13, 2025, with approximately 120 crew members on board. Their three-day visit is part of a broader initiative to enhance cooperation and foster new opportunities for maritime collaboration between the JMSDF and the Kenya Navy (KN).
The commanding officer of the JMSDF unit, Captain Amano Shinsuke, emphasized the importance of this visit in the context of the Indo-Pacific and Middle East Deployment 2025 (IMED25). Speaking onboard the JS BUNGO at the Port of Mombasa, Captain Shinsuke highlighted the deployment's objectives, which include contributing to regional peace and stability and enhancing mutual understanding and relationships with partner countries. "The visit seeks to contribute to peace and stability of the region and enhance mutual understanding and relationship with partner countries," he stated during a media briefing, underscoring the strategic significance of the visit.
This deployment is part of an ongoing series of exercises that the JMSDF has been conducting since 2021, with the current 2025 exercise marking its third iteration. The initiative involves visiting various ports where the crew engages in a range of activities designed to foster goodwill and deepen relationships with local navies. These activities include onboard receptions, ship tours, office calls, sports activities, and goodwill exercises. Captain Shinsuke expressed confidence that these interactions would strengthen ties with the countries visited.
The JMSDF's current tour includes stops in several countries, demonstrating Japan's commitment to fostering international maritime cooperation. In addition to Kenya, the ships have visited Bahrain, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of India, Malaysia, the Sultanate of Oman, the Republic of the Philippines, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Seychelles, the Republic of Singapore, and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. This extensive itinerary underscores the JMSDF's role in promoting peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions, aligning with Japan's broader foreign policy objectives.
