Japan, Saudi Arabia mark 70-year anniversary with naval reception in Dammam
DUBAI: Ambassador of Japan to Saudi Arabia Yasunari Morino and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Capt. Shinsuke Amano recently hosted a reception to celebrate the nation's 70 years of ties with the Kingdom.
The event on Feb. 23, on board the Japanese vessel JS Bungo, was also aimed at strengthening the bonds between the JMSDF and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
The reception was attended by several government officials, naval officers, and businesspeople.
In his speech, Morino said this was the ship's first visit in seven years, calling it a 'significant event, reflecting the friendly relations between the two countries.'
Amano expressed his honor at visiting Saudi Arabia, which he described as 'leading the Arab and Islamic world and playing a pivotal role in peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.'
During this deployment, the ships JS Bungo and JS Etajima have engaged with navies across the Indo-Pacific and Middle East regions, conducting joint training exercises.
Amano affirmed Japan's commitment to ensuring regional stability and prosperity by ensuring the safety of maritime navigation.
Japan's Minesweeper Division 3, which includes the JS Bungo and JS Etajima, visited Dammam following their participation in an international maritime exercise in Bahrain.
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