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Yomiuri Shimbun
11-05-2025
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Curry Collab Between MSDF, JCG Heats Up in Maizuru
The Yomiuri Shimbun Staff members of cafe Hana present an aigake dish with curries from the destroyer Yahagi and the patrol vessel Daisen, with members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, far left, and the Japan Coast Guard, far right. A collaboration between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard has been realized in the form of a gourmet dish combining curry recipes served by the two organizations. This spring, restaurants in Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture — famous for its Kaiji Curry, in which Kaiji means the MSDF — began serving Kaiho Curry devised by the Japan Coast Guard, which is called Kaiho. The dish, named aigake, allows customers to taste curries of both types at the same time and went on sale in April. Maizuru is the only municipality in Japan where both the MSDF and the JCG have important facilities. The two organizations, which have worked together for a long time, are joining forces in the area of food to contribute to the community. On April 16, a tasting event was held at the JCG's boat base on the western side of Maizuru Port. A table set up on the wharf held an aigake dish combining the curry served on JCG patrol vessel Daisen and that from MSDF destroyer Yahagi. It was prepared by Hana, a cafe in the city. Daisen's beef curry has a buttery flavor and is topped with deep-fried vegetables. Yahagi's chicken curry has a kombu seaweed and chicken broth base and also uses plenty of vegetables. In the center of the plate is rice shaped like the Maizuru Crane Bridge, a bridge that spans the port's eastern area, where the MSDF has a base. The two different curries are placed on either side of the 'bridge.' Three other types of aigake dishes were also prepared, and were enjoyed by the staff of the 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters and members of the MSDF Maizuru District Headquarters. The idea for Kaiho Curry was born last autumn at a meeting of three organizations, including the Maizuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The idea for Kaiji Curry began eight years ago, when the MSDF shared with local restaurants the recipes for its curries, originally served on Fridays at noon on its vessels and in its units. Now, 16 varieties are available. Each of the JCG patrol boats also have their own curry recipe, and locals warmed to the idea of Kaiho Curry in the hope that it could become another Maizuru specialty, since this is where MSDF and JCG members meet to work. The JCG provided four recipes, and four restaurants in the city began selling the curries in April after receiving instructions from the cooking staff of each patrol vessel and the Japan Coast Guard School. 'We hope that many people will enjoy the curries of the two organizations that serve to protect the sea and that will help revitalize the city,' said Yuji Kotani, 64, executive director of the Maizuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one of the organizers of the curry project. The Yomiuri Shimbun An aigake curry dish combining recipes from the MSDF 23rd Helicopter Squadron and the patrol vessel Miura, made by the restaurant Benten The Yomiuri Shimbun An aigake dish with curries from the destroyer Myoko and the Japan Coast Guard School, made by the cafe Nanako The Yomiuri Shimbun Aigake curry from the destroyer Hyuga and the patrol vessel Wakasa, made by Sebal The cooperation between the MSDF and the JCG in Maizuru deepened after an incident in 1999 when a North Korean spy ship entered Japan's territorial waters off the Noto Peninsula. They have conducted joint drills almost every year since then to deal with suspicious vessels. They have also deepened their cooperation in the area of disaster response. In 2023, they concluded the nation's first agreement in which the MSDF and the JCG worked together to restore KDDI's telecommunications infrastructure. In March 2024, they conducted a joint drill in Wakasa Bay to prepare for a 'gray zone situation,' one which cannot be immediately defined as an armed attack. An MSDF official said that the two organizations have a visible relationship with each other, with their command centers located in the same city, and emphasized that this relationship is what made the aigake curry project possible. 'I hope that, while eating aigake curry, people will think about how the JCG as the marine police and the MSDF as a self-defense organization, are protecting the sea by making the best use of their respective strengths,' said a senior Coast Guard official.
Japan Times
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
In a first, Japan will join major Philippine-U.S. drills as participant
Tokyo's defense relations with Manila are about to enter a new phase as Japan prepares to participate for the first time ever in large-scale annual drills between U.S. and Philippines forces as an official contributor of personnel and equipment — and not merely as an observer. The Self-Defense Forces will dispatch about 150 personnel and a warship, the Mogami-class frigate Yahagi, to the multidomain Balikatan exercises, which are set to take place in the Philippines and surrounding waters from Monday to May 9. Having only sent observers to Balikatan — Tagalog for 'shoulder-to-shoulder' — since 2012, Japan plans to use its new role to 'improve the SDF's integrated operational capabilities' for various tactical and international disaster relief activities, according to the Joint Staff. It also plans to use the drills to strengthen cooperation with other participating countries to 'contribute to the creation of a favorable security environment.' The SDF personnel will join a combined force of about 14,000 U.S., Philippine and Australian troops who will come together for a full-scale joint training aimed at enhancing operational readiness in diverse scenarios at a time of rising tensions with Beijing not only over territorial disputes in the South China Sea but also over the island of Taiwan. That said, Japanese personnel will not participate equally in all activities. While the SDF will join a multinational sail, disaster relief drills and exchanges on cyber and joint air and missile defense, they will only play an observer role in amphibious and coastal defense drills as well as joint logistics training. The Mogami-class frigate Yahagi, commissioned in Nagasaki in May last year, will participate in this year's Balikatan exercises. | Martime Self-Defense Force The training maneuvers will take place before a bilateral visiting-forces agreement signed last year with Manila enters force. Formally known as a Reciprocal Access Agreement, the pact, which has yet to be ratified in parliament, aims to facilitate larger and more complex joint military activities as well as grant the SDF greater access to Philippine bases as Japan seeks to step up training and interoperability with partner forces. To be largely held on the Philippine islands of Luzon (near Taiwan) and Palawan (near disputed parts of the South China Sea), "Balikatan 2025," which will start only a few days before Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba visits Manila later this month, is expected to be one of the largest and most intense versions of the exercise series, which this year marks its 40th iteration. Not only will it feature Japan's maiden participation, but allied and partner forces are also set to conduct a "full battle test" covering a range of scenarios — from conventional warfare to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief — to test the level of joint preparedness for various contingencies. This includes a multilateral maritime exercise, a command-and-control drills, maritime strike and counter-landing live fire maneuvers as well as a combined joint all-domain operations drill that also involves rehearsing integrated air and missile defense. The drills will see the U.S. dispatch about 9,000 troops — by far the largest contingent — including a newly formed formation called the Littoral Rotational Force-Luzon. In terms of new equipment deployment, U.S. assets will include advanced surface drones as well as the Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, an advanced ground-based anti-ship missile system — in a move likely to infuriate Beijing, which has already voiced its anger over Washington's continuing deployment of the Typhon missile system in the country. U.S. and Philippine soldiers during the Balikatan exercise in Laoag in May 2024 | Reuters Balikatan 2025 also comes as Washington, Tokyo and Canberra have all been rapidly deepening defense and security ties with Manila. From joint naval patrols, to the provision of assorted defense and coast equipment and considerations of greater defense-industrial cooperation, these countries all have vested interests in strengthening Manila's as well as their collective capacity to deter and potentially also counter any Chinese aggression. This also applies to the new U.S. administration. with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announcing a flurry of measures late last month to step up bilateral ties as Washington sought to reassure its oldest treaty ally in Asia of its 'ironclad' defense commitment. The U.S. has also approved the sale of up 20 F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets to the Philippines, transferred advanced unmanned systems and reportedly been operating MQ-9A Reaper surveillance drones from the country. The Philippines' proximity to both Taiwan and key sea lanes in the South China Sea makes it an attractive staging point for the U.S. and its allies that could boost their ability to respond to regional crises. This appears to also include Manila's preparation to play some type of role in a Taiwan contingency not only because of its proximity to the self-ruled island but also because of its role as a U.S. ally. In fact, Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo S. Brawner was quoted as telling troops of Northern Luzon Command earlier this year to prepare for a Taiwan invasion contingency, citing the repatriation of citizens and the 'inevitability' of Manila's involvement in a cross-strait conflict. 'Because, if something happens to Taiwan, inevitably we will be involved,' Brawner said, adding, 'Start planning for actions in case there is an invasion of Taiwan.' While the U.S. is Manila's sole treaty ally, the Philippines has also turned to other players for support in its maritime and territorial disputes with China. This includes signing security deals with extraregional partners such as the European Union, Britain and Germany, while recently clinching visiting-forces agreements with Canada and New Zealand and aiming to sign another with France. South Korea also acts as an important supplier of military equipment. 'We will work very closely, not only with our treaty ally, but also with other like-minded partners in reestablishing deterrence,' Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said last month. 'This will mean increased inter-operational activities, joint exercises, and realistic training in a myriad of scenarios.' The Philippine defense chief said he expects an 'increased rotational presence of like-minded and allied troops' in the Philippines under its strategic basing plan, which aims to identify points to support and project forces beyond territorial waters and into Manila's exclusive economic zone. Manila's outreach to more and more countries will also be reflected in Balikatan 2025 as military observers from a total of 19 countries — including Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom — have been invited to attend the large-scale drills.
Gulf Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Japanese star Forever Young poised for Dubai WC glory
The world's eyes now turn toward the golden sands of the UAE, where the curtain is about to rise on one of the most magnificent spectacles in the sporting world — the prestigious Dubai World Cup. On Saturday, under the opulent lights of the iconic Meydan Racecourse, a constellation of equine stars will gather to contest not only riches beyond compare, but eternal glory on racing's grandest international stage. With a total prize purse exceeding $30 million, including $12 million for the main race alone, 29th running of this event promises a night of sheer drama and brilliance, as a star-studded ensemble of the world's finest thoroughbreds battle for supremacy. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi can discern 'no shadows of doubt' as his formidable four-year-old, Forever Young, prepares to etch another glorious chapter following his unforgettable triumph in the Saudi Cup. Just six weeks ago in Riyadh, a breathtaking duel unfolded as Forever Young locked horns with the valiant Romantic Warrior, snatching victory by the slenderest of margins – a neck – as the rest of the esteemed field trailed far behind, vanquished by a significant ten lengths or more. Yahagi believes that overwhelming Dubai World Cup favourite Forever Young has taken a step forward from his epic defeat of Romantic Warrior in Riyadh last month, while jockey Ryusei Sakai is determined to make up for some heartbreaking near-misses in 2024. Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the G1 Kentucky Derby (2000m) and the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2000m) during his three-year-old season, while stablemate Shin Emperor — one of the leading contenders for Saturday's $6 million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) - was also third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m), as well as going down by a neck to Do Deuce when dead-heating for second in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m). Looking ahead to the two colts' major assignments at Meydan on Saturday, Sakai said: 'It's a mixed feeling as obviously there is pressure. But personally I really appreciate the opportunity given to me to ride top-class horses, not only in Japan but also on the world stage. 'Last year we were unable to win a Group 1 overseas with these two horses but this year we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race.' Such ambition is shared by his mentor Yahagi who, despite playing up to frequent media mentions of Sakai's youth by referring to him as 'my apprentice', said that both colts were fine-tuned to produce standout performances on Saturday. 'The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win,' said Yahagi. 'In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second. 'That was meaningful for the people; they were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular.' If Forever Young can do what many — if not most — expect on Saturday, then that affection for the Dubai World Cup will become even deeper and more enduring. Another highlight of the 29th edition is the winners of four Group 1 races on Dubai World Cup night – including the $12 million main event – will receive direct entry to the Breeders' Cup in the US later this year thanks to a new partnership between the two prestigious events. The Dubai Racing Club announced a partnership whereby winners of the Dubai World Cup, Dubai Golden Shaheen, Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Turf will gain automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup meeting. Ushba Tesoro, who aims to become the first horse to ever reclaim his Dubai World Cup crown, enjoyed the final workout of his career in front of a packed track on Friday morning. The 2023 Dubai World Cup winner will retire to stud after Saturday's race and his easy lap was closely watched by those trackside. 'He just likes it here,' said trainer Noboru Takagi. 'It is a fitting place for him to have his final start. He has been an amazing horse.' The final touches to Bhupat Seemar's Dubai World Cup duo have passed without a hitch as the trainer prepares to defend his title in Saturday's feature race. Seemar saddled Laurel River to a dominant success in last year's event and will be represented by Imperial Emperor and Walk Of Stars this time around. Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
The National
04-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
Dubai World Cup: Forever Young aims to become first horse to win Gulf Grand Slam double
Live: Dubai World Cup blog Forever Young ticks all the boxes in his bid to become the first horse to win both the lucrative Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup. He already has a second-string Gulf double to his name, having won both the Saudi Derby and the UAE Derby last year, but success in the $12 million Dubai World Cup race at Meydan on Saturday would be the jewel in the crown for the Japanese star. Forever Young has an impeccable record: eight victories and third twice in his two other starts in 10 career races. The two third-placed finishes were in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup Classic, both Grade 1 races. The Real Steel colt was an impressive winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in his last start on February 22. He edged out the nine-time Group/Grade 1 winner Romantic Warrior by a neck after a long drawn out battle on the home stretch of the 1,800-metre trip. The four-year-old is nicely perched in Gate 5, in the middle of the 11-runner field, which his trainer Yoshito Yahagi described as 'not a concern', even though he would have preferred a wider draw. Yahagi acknowledged his stable star faces a tall order to complete the Saudi-UAE double but expects him to give it his all. "Of course he had a tough race [at the Saudi Cup], and he was a little fatigued for a few days. My staff really did a great job in aiding his recovery and from then the plan was always to come here and compete in the Dubai World Cup,' Yahagi said. 'I think the extra 200 metres will be an advantage for him and also going four turns [at Meydan] will benefit him. 'I've been asked a lot about how he has come out of the race and his overall condition, and some people have been concerned. But I actually think that having experienced that tough race, he has improved another level. I think it's all positive, I don't see any negatives.' His jockey Ryusei Sakai, who also partners stablemate Shin Emperor in the $6 million Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, had mixed feelings of the two big rides on the night. 'Obviously there is pressure. But personally, I really appreciate the opportunity given to me to ride top-class horses, not only in Japan but also on the world stage,' he said. 'Last year we were unable to win a Group 1 overseas with these two horses but this year we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race.' In horse racing, even the best horse can have an off day, according to 2024 Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Bhupat Seemar. 'He's probably one of the best horses in the world,' the Zabeel Stables boss said of Forever Young. 'But he can have a bad day as well. Absolutely, this is horse racing. You've got to be in the race to win it.' Seemar, who became the first local trainer to win the coveted prize just over 12 months ago with Laurel River under Tadhg O'Shea in the silks of Saudi Arabian owners Juddmonte, is double handed with Walk Of Stars and Imperial Emperor. 'It's unfortunate Laurel River isn't here to defend his title,' Seemar said after the final workout of his two runners on Friday. 'We've got two very nice subs. They both like the track, they're proven here, and I'm very happy with my team. 'Imperial Emperor is improving. He likes this track, and I like his draw. He's won from draw 13, so we should be alright in 10. He's honest as they come and he's very uncomplicated. He's a jockey's dream. 'Walk Of Stars likes his own surroundings. He's a very, very quirky horse. It took him three years to start winning races again. He could probably finish second to Tuz in a six-furlong [1,200m] race if he wanted. He's got so much talent, but he's very quirky. 'He didn't take Saudi very well. He lost quite a lot of weight, and he was very nervous. He's got a lot of stamina.' Imperial Emperor is the choice of stable jockey O'Shea, the 12-time UAE champion and the all-time leading rider in the country with 826 winners in the bag. He was impressive when winning the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic in his last start a month ago and a repeat run would see him go close against Forever Young on the night. Completing Japan's challenge in the race are Noburu Takagi pair Ushba Tesoro and Wilson Tesoro, and Shozo Sasaki's Ramjet. All three of them finished behind Forever Young in the Saudi Cup. Rattle N Roll under Godolphin jockey William Buick spearheads the American challenge that also includes Hit Show, Mixto, Il Miracolo and Katanah.
